Karim Benzema is NOT a Baby

By: Inara | April 6th, 2007

Karim Benzema would like the world to know that he’s 19, not 17, and therefore not a kid. So could everyone please stop treating him like one? He also wants us to know that he’s tired of playing in the left and right positions. He’s a centre forward, dammit, not a winger, no matter what Houllier wants to believe.

Benzema

Just recently, he scored a wonderful goal on his first appearance for the France NT.

He was a little pissed off at being left on the bench as Lyon oh so wonderfully lost to Bordeaux during the Coupe de la Ligue final, especially since he had just scored a goal against Austria three days before. I don’t really blame him for being annoyed – he got to watch as his team ingloriously didn’t score any goals, despite boasting the best attacking talent in Ligue 1.

I posted his interview here, which you can read in French (or run it through a google translator). But to summarize, he basically says that he’s old enough to take on the goal scoring responsibilities of a centre forward, that at practice no one coddles him or excuses him because of his age, and that as long as Lyon plays 4-3-3, two attackers will have to sit on the bench. He says that Houllier’s first choice is Fred.

He also talks about his CdL disappointments.

The interesting thing is that unlike many other blossoming young stars, Benzema doesn’t want to leave OL for a “new adventure.” He wants to become good enough to be a starter for Lyon and turn into that one big striker that Aulas has been dreaming about for the past few years.

I’m really impressed with his loyal attitude because when most talented (spoiled) young players get benched, the first thing out of their mouths is “I want to leave.” But Karim has made no threats whatsoever. He just voiced his general dissatisfaction at being played out of position, and he hopes that Houllier will have more faith in him. It really shows his maturity. He’s been touted as the next big thing for quite some time now, and despite the fact that both Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry are among his fans, he has still retained his humble manner.

He also posted a very clear warning to Fred and Baros: that pretty soon, he’ll be the number #1 at Lyon.

Damn, I’m excited.