Benjamin Pavard explains why he was so determined to leave Bayern Munich for Inter, including the chance to show a different side to his game. ‘The club shares my ambition.’
The defender had for many years been used as a full-back in Germany and for France, but the switch to San Siro was also an opportunity to play as a central defender in a back three.
“I had been following Italian football for a long time, I have many friends who play in Italy. I consider it a tactically tough league and think I can learn a great deal here,” the veteran told DAZN.
“I am proud to be part of a great club like Inter. I play football to win trophies, at the end of my career I will be proud to look back at all I have won. I hope there can be many more in that cabinet, because I am still hungry for silverware.
“I would love to win many titles with Inter, starting with the Scudetto and putting the second star on our jersey.”
Bayern Munich made it very difficult for Inter to complete the transfer, so Pavard’s determination to make the move proved crucial.
“I had been in Germany for seven years, I felt the time had come for a new challenge. Inter are a club with such history written by legends like Javier Zanetti, who today works here.
“It just felt obvious to me, Inter shares my ambition, which is to win as many trophies as possible.”
There was also a crucial tactical aspect to working with Simone Inzaghi in a 3-5-2 formation.
“My preferred position is at the centre of a three-man defence, as that is where I feel most at ease. Everyone knows I can play as a right-back, but that is not where I am happiest. I am at Inter to express myself in the role that I prefer, where I can bring my experience to the team.”
Pavard said in the past that he can never have the talent of Lionel Messi, but he does have a very strong mentality and that is just as valuable in modern football.
“I am not a genius of football like Messi, but I always worked hard and earned everything I achieved. Even in difficult moments, I never gave up. I owe that to my father, who had great mental strength. It is the key to a great career.
“There are no sacrifices, because being a top level player is a privilege, you get to give joy to people in the stadium. It’s true, you might have to miss big moments like birthdays, Christmas, New Year’s with your family and friends, but this is the best job in the world, so we cannot complain.”
Defender Sergio Ramos was his idol, while Eden Hazard is named as the toughest opponent to man-mark and the game he wishes he could wipe out is last season’s Bayern Munich defeat to Manchester City.
When asked for the most beautiful stadium in the world, Pavard chose San Siro.