Karim Benzema was the Real Madrid player who appeared before the media at the official UEFA press conference prior to the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 match against PSG. The French striker did not dispel doubts about whether he will be able to play the game after several days out. He stated that he will see his sensations in the training that the white team is going to do next on the pitch of the Parc des Princes and that he has been working hard in Valdebebas and at his home to get to the stadium on time match.
Will he play?: “It’s been a lot of hours of work. I feel much better. Now we have a training session to see how I feel and see if I can play the game. I feel good, but I need more sensations on the pitch”.
Your feelings: “I’ve recovered a lot, I have to have sensations on the field. Let’s see the training, I’m 100% in the head. And then we’ll decide”.
How was the injury? “It was difficult, when you’re away it’s difficult. I put myself on in the morning, in the afternoon, at night, working, at home and in Valdebebas. Today I’m here and I’m ready. I have to see myself on the pitch, but I’m here to help to my team, it’s a great game. If I play, I’ll give it my all”.
Champions League
*Data updated as of February 14, 2022
Mbappe: “It is clear that it is a very big game, playing against Kylian is special. As everyone knows, one day he can reach Madrid. But the most important thing is to win.”
Is it a special match for being in France?: “It’s a Champions League match, it’s not special because it’s in France. I feel good when I’m with the national team, today I’m with my club. The people are fine with me, I have to show things on the pitch. They come to see things on the pitch “.
Messi: “Messi is extraordinary, people expect goals, but what he does on the pitch… I’ve played a lot with him. Tomorrow is another game, we have to talk about football.”
Your low: “The team has known how to win without me. The most important thing is to be well, to have good feelings. Then, you don’t have to take risks, the season is long”.
“Everyone knows that Mbappé can come to Real Madrid one day”
Karim Benzema, Real Madrid striker
Neymar: “He’s a top player, I don’t know if he’s 100%, but it’s better for them if he plays. A game doesn’t depend on one player. Messi is the same as Neymar, a very good player, very strong.”
Favorite: “There is no favourite, in today’s football there isn’t. You can win, you can reach the final, but it’s 90 minutes and whoever wants the most can win. If we look at it player by player, we’re all the same. There are no favorites in football now.”
Optimistic to win: “We’ll see to win, we’re here to play a good game. We have to be 100% on the pitch, show what we can do, I feel good, I’ll train and we’ll make a decision”.
Risk to play: “I’m always going to push for my team. If not, I’ll stay in Madrid. If I have to push, I’ll push. But it’s not to get more injuries, that would be bad for the team. Let’s see the sensations”.
Statistical comparison of Karim Benzema’s last four seasons with Real Madrid.
BeSoccer Pro
Did you speak with Mbappé?: “The only thing I can wish him is that he has a good game and that he plays as he knows how, he’s a great player”.
There is no longer double value of away goals: “For me nothing changes, we know what we want, play a good game, win. You have to go to win. The most important thing is to focus on our game, score goals”.
Who from PSG would you like to play with: “I don’t know, they’re all good. They’re top players, I don’t have one in particular in mind.”
The PSG game: “It’s difficult, they play against teams that wait a long way back, it’s difficult in 70 minutes playing like this to play well. Sometimes it’s not pretty to watch. You have to wait and be patient. But for me it’s a great team. They have individualities, they have good defense, good midfielders… In the Champions League, teams improve”.
The calendar: “We always want to go play, it’s hard for us with the teams that are left behind. We need a lucky point to score soon, so as not to get nervous. We lost points, but we’re fine”.
Finish in Ligue 1: “At the moment, I focus on Madrid. Every year I’m going to continue working, it’s a bit early to talk about it. I feel good in Madrid, it’s the best club in the world”.