‘WE HAVE THE RIGHT MIX OF YOUTH AND EXPERIENCE’
“As a team we have been playing well for the last few years. Overall it’s a united squad. We play for each other which is the key, and we know our responsibilities,” says French star
Karim Benzema was not in World Cup-winning squad of France in 2018. For an off-thefield incident, he was unofficially suspended from the national team. But his performances for Real Madrid forced the French coach Didier Deschamps to recall him for national duties during EURO 2020. ⬤ It must be exciting for you to return to World Cup after 2014?
Definitely! I am eager to return to the World Cup moments that I had enjoyed so much in 2014. Yes, we were knocked out by Germany in the quarter-final, but the experience in Brazil was truly awesome. The fans, the games, colourful and electrifying surroundings — really enjoyed being part of that World Cup.
⬤ And you were not there in 2018 when France won the Cup.
Let’s forget that chapter. It was really amazing to see my team-mates win the coveted Cup in Moscow, beating Croatia. I talked to Luka (Modric) about the final a few times during our practice sessions in Real Madrid and had fun. He had a great tournament, but we dominated them in the final and won convincingly.
⬤ The reigning champions did not have a great outing in the following World Cup for the last few editions. But France is everyone’s favourite this time. Your views.
As a team we have been playing well for the last few years. You cannot win everything in football every year. So we did miss a few. But overall it’s a united squad. We play for each other which is the key. We have the right mix of youth and experience. It’s a happy squad. And we know our responsibilities.
⬤ You’ll be playing Denmark in the group along with Australia and Tunisia. Is it a relatively easier group to qualify for the knockouts?
Not at all. First of all, there’s no easy group in a World Cup. The teams had to qualify and the process is not an easy one. Only the best 32 teams will be here. See, Italy was the European champion but it could not make it to Qatar. That says it all.
⬤ You had scored four goals in the EURO 2020 but France lost in the round of 16. How painful was the defeat to Switzerland on penalties?
That was really painful. We were leading
3-1 and conceded two in the last 10 minutes. Then the tie-breakers and our hearts were broken again. I was not there four years earlier when we reached the final and lost to Portugal on our soil. Those who were there, used to say that they were keen not to repeat the same. But football is like that. Even your best efforts cannot ensure a victory always.
⬤ Your coach acknowledged to the media after winning the World Cup that the defeat in the EURO 2016 final motivated the players more to prove themselves.
He was right. I know my team-mates, I talked to some of them and they all said the same. It was difficult for all of them to digest that EURO final defeat. Not only for them but also for all of us who were sitting outside and following the team. This time, too, we shall be going to a World Cup with a round of 16 exit in the EURO. It’s an added motivation for us to show the world that we deserved better.
⬤ Which teams have the talent to go the distance in Qatar?
Again, in a World Cup there’s nothing like a favourite. People do say that but it never exists. This is a World Cup in the Middle-east and the weather will be different. Footballers will be reaching there without having spent much time with their team-mates and the coach. The Asian teams will do whatever they can to go further. Then there are the six-seven teams who always excel during the tournament. It’s going to be one of the toughest World Cups for all of us.