The Frenchman, crowned Ballon d’Or 2022, returned to this consecration which he dedicated “to the people” before projecting himself on his new ambitions: winning the World Cup.
Statements taken at a press conference
You said it was the people’s golden ball, can you explain?
There is nothing political. It’s just a reference to where I come from, to all my fans who have supported me every moment, even in difficult times. I want to share this trophy with them because I like sharing and they deserve it.
Complicated passages
You won this trophy at 34, did you expect to win it one day?
I’ve always had this trophy in the back of my mind, but what changed after I turned 30 was my ambition. After 30 years, she entered my head with the desire to work harder, to be more decisive, to focus on important parts and on being a leader. And then there’s playing for the best team in the world. At 21, I didn’t have the same ambition as today. I went through complicated stages, in the France team in particular. Zinedine Zidane gave me confidence. And today, I am very happy with my work and my career.
What would the Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema say to little Karim?
I would tell him to play football, to always pursue his dreams, the Ballon d’Or, the World Cup, and the Champions League are dreams. Always go forward because football is the most important thing in my life and it’s my job but I practice it as if I were a child.
I want to win the World Cup
Karim Benzema
You had three dreams when you were young, buying your mum a house, playing for Real Madrid and winning the Ballon d’Or. Is there still one left?
The promises have been kept but I still have ambition. I want to win the World Cup and I hope to be in the squad for Qatar. I will do everything to win it.
You are the second oldest player to have won the Ballon d’Or, do you dream of a second coronation?
I’m not like that. I want to enjoy the present moment first. If I can win it again, so much the better. I’m going to enjoy but I can’t rest on my laurels. I still have to perform, play game after game and if I can do good things with my teammates, we’ll see. I don’t know how much longer I will play. When it becomes hard to go to training, I will stop. There, I like to train. Win a second or third? It’s a lot of work and sacrifice. We are already going home and after that we will still have to be good on the pitch.
Thank you to the president, it makes me happy
Karim Benzema
What does Real Madrid represent to you?
It’s the best club in the world. I have a lot of respect for Florentino Pérez (the president, editor’s note). He has always supported me, in complicated times, not just during difficulties with the France team. He is very happy for me and I am proud of him. He told me one day that I would win the Ballon d’Or.
Emmanuel Macron congratulated you in a tweet, what do you think? Does this trophy help you enter the hearts of the French a little more?
Thank you to the president, it makes me happy. Me, when I play football, I do not enter the field to please so and so. I want to do my best and give emotions. If I succeed, so much the better, it will give me strength. People are proud of me today, that’s why I said it’s also their Ballon d’Or.