His appearance was particularly expected within two weeks of the start of the Euro. Karim Benzema was answering journalists’ questions from Clairefontaine, this Sunday afternoon. The Blues striker, back in the selection five years after his last call, does not shy away from his pleasure at having found the group.
Didier Deschamps described your return as a “non-event”. Is it an event for you to be at a press conference today? Is there stress?
KARIM BENZEMA. Stress ? Not at all ! I’m super happy to be there, to come back to the France team again. It’s going very, very well. The adaptation is perfect. There is great play on the field, as I like. In the group I already knew a lot of players, I was able to meet others. I can’t wait to start a match!
Since your last selection in 2015, what has changed in the group? Who are you closest to?
I just arrived so it’s not easy to judge. But we feel that it is a calm group, which was nevertheless world champion and vice-champion of Europe. They are winners. The level is very high, that’s what I like. At the beginning, I was more often with Raphaël Varane, because we are together at Real Madrid. I get along well with everyone.
We know that you saw the coach before your return to the selection. Which of the two sought to see the other? Did you apologize to the manager?
It doesn’t matter. The main thing is that today we spoke to each other, we discussed. We talked for a long time, football and not only, between men. The most important thing is that today I am in the group and I am very happy to be here. I am not here to repeat these discussions, they are private.
In five years, how have you improved as a player as well as as a man? What has changed for you?
I worked a lot, both mentally and physically. My children, my family also play an important role. To hope one day to return to the French team, you had to be efficient in a club and not give up.
You love the France team. Is there suffering during these years of absence? Have you stopped believing in it?
When we are not in selection, we are disappointed. What touched me the most was not having played in the World Cup and the Euro. I never gave up. I was very touched, morally it was hard but it’s part of my career. I have always fought to hope to come back one day. I questioned myself, I worked a lot more. Today I am rewarded.
How do you manage the attention that has been brought to you since your return?
The pressure, I already live it every day, whether it is that in training or in matches. I know I’m being watched, but I’m ready. Considering our team, I don’t worry. I prepare myself every day to be in shape.
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How do you imagine your reunion with Olivier Giroud?
I had already met him in the semi-final first leg of the Champions League against Chelsea. We had chatted for five minutes, quietly. What has been said in the past is said, now it’s over. The most important thing for him, as for me, is to help the team to go as high as possible.
We have sometimes wondered about your ability to play with Antoine Griezmann, because you have profiles that could sometimes walk on each other’s feet, especially during the 2014 World Cup? Is there a particular job to do with him in your placement on the pitch?
We are very high level players, it’s automatic. If one is in line, the other must go to the left, if one stalls, the other must go deep. Given the level he has both in club and in selection, there is no need to step on it. Antoine likes to have the ball, he knows how to play in one or two touches. It’s not complicated to play with him, on the contrary. They are players that I really appreciate on the pitch because they know how to do everything.
Do you want to say thank you to Didier Deschamps?
I think I told him already. Do you want me to say it here? Thank you Didier (laughs) !
