Benjamin Pavard says he’s always felt like an Inter fan and is happy to be part of club that has super fans. The former Bayern Munich defender made the move to Italy this summer, insisting that he only wanted to join the Nerazzurri.
Speaking with DAZN, the Frenchman explained why Inter have always been an important to club to him, and why he could have been a barber, had he not decided to play football:
“I had talked about it (joining Inter) with friends, I love Italian music and I was listening to ‘Gigi l’Amoroso’. I felt like an Inter fan, I’ve wanted to be one for a long time. I’m very happy to be part of the club which has super fans. We hope to do some good things together. There’s a great energy in the locker room, I’m sure we’ll do great things.”
When did you start playing football?
“When I was little. My mother played basketball, and I played with her, but with feet instead of hands. So they immediately signed me up to a club where my father was the coach.”
What would he have done if he hadn’t become a footballer?
“Barber (laughs, ed.). I’ve always liked hair… I don’t know, but I’ve never thought about it.”
The first role on the pitch?
“Attacker, I was a number 9 like Inzaghi.”
The player who inspired you the most?
“Especially Sergio Ramos. Even though when I was little, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Samuel, Ronaldo played at Inter… I watched them or chose them on the PlayStation.”
A difficult moment in your career.
“My first match as a pro with Lille. My career as a footballer has had difficult moments, but I have always gotten back up with the help of my family. It is thanks to them that I now play for Inter. My father taught me given the most important teaching, he gave me his mentality and I will never forget it.”
You won the World Cup in Russia.
“No one thought I would play in a World Cup, not even me. It all happened very quickly, I thought I wouldn’t even play a match. Instead I had the opportunity to play against Argentina and I scored. I realized a dream of childhood winning the World Cup”.
Three characteristics to define Pavard the player.
“I have good positioning, I’m good at passing and I have determination.”
In football, is talent or determination more important?
“The second, because talent is sometimes not enough unless you are Messi. I am a person who likes to work, who has achieved his goals thanks to work. I deserved it, but there is still a lot to do” .
