Benjamin Pavard discussed the ‘great energy’ in the Inter dressing room and reflected on how it felt to win the World Cup in 2018.
The 27-year-old Frenchman was one of the Nerazzurri’s high-profile signings of the summer, arriving from Bayern Munich in a deal worth around €30m. He put pen to paper on a five-year deal, tying him to the club until June 2028.
After a slow start, Pavard has quickly proven himself to Simone Inzaghi and is now a regular feature for Inter, having played 597 minutes of action across his first seven games with the club.
Speaking in an interview with DAZN via TMW, Pavard first discussed his move to Inter and happiness at the club.
“I had talked about it 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.”
He remembered when he started playing football.
“When I was little. My mother played basketball, and I played with her but with her feet. So, they immediately signed me up to a club where my father was the coach.”
The full back was asked what job he would’ve had if he wasn’t a footballer.
“Barber! I’ve always liked hair… I don’t know, but I’ve never thought about it.”
He reflected on his first role on the pitch.
“Forward, I was a number nine like Inzaghi.”
Pavard spoke about some of his inspirations.
“Especially Sergio Ramos. Even though when I was little, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Samuel, Ronaldo when he played at Inter… I watched them or chose them on the PlayStation.”
He revealed a particularly difficult moment in his 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 the most important thing, he gave me his mentality and I will never forget that.”
The Frenchman looked back at the World Cup win in 2018.
“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.”
Finally, Pavard was asked if talent or determination were more important.
“The second, because talent is sometimes not enough, unless you are Messi. I’m 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.”