Benjamin Pavard became world champion, then relegated to the 2nd league and will now take off at FC Bayern. The 23-year-old himself is bursting with self-confidence, but there are also prominent doubters.
His legendary World Cup goal and the boundless cheers of the French after the triumph in Russia ran over the huge screen. There were no scenes of the sad relegation with VfB Stuttgart at the presentation of Benjamin Pavard at Bayern Munich in the Allianz Arena. The blackest chapter of his still young career still follows the 23-year-old anyway.
The crash “still affected him today”, but he had “learned a lot from it”. That’s what brought me forward, mentally as well. Of course there will be more pressure at FC Bayern, but that doesn’t scare me, I’m self-confident,” said Pavard, who was proud to see the World Cup on a photo in the background.
Russia, the summer of 2018 – it was his World Cup. The 35-million-euro defender had caused a sensation in the last sixteen with a spectacular outcut goal in a 4-3 draw against Argentina.
But he didn’t “end up with Bavaria” because of this mad goal, Pavard had recently emphasised at Canal Football Club, “but because I’m one of the best defenders in the league. Defensive, I’m strong. Technically, too.”
Brash tones that Bavarian Sports Director Hasan Salihamidzic emphasized on Friday. “He can play on all positions of the four or three chain. That’s the kind of player we need. He’s got to know the extremes of football, has playing intelligence, very clever defensive behaviour and a very good technique.” Salihamidzic is therefore “100 percent convinced that he will make us more flexible and stronger.
However, Pavard had to improve for this, his fellow countryman Bixente reminded Lizarazu recently in the kicker. “Pavard must take not one step, but two.” Since the 2018 World Cup “it has been less, even in the French national team. He only delivered average.”
France’s national coach Didier Deschamps spoke in Sport Bild of a “radical change” for Pavard: “He had a very difficult season with the Stuttgart team. Now he changes to a very big club with European top level, where there is a lot of competition.”
But Pavard (“I owe Stuttgart a lot”) is convinced to find his place between Niklas Süle, Lucas Hernandez, with whom he became world champion, or Joshua Kimmich. What position? “The coach will decide. I’ll play anywhere.” The team’s success would be in the foreground anyway: “I’m hungry for titles.”
And Pavard dares to play a leading role: “I can take responsibility.” Privately, the Frenchman describes himself as reserved, he is a “discreet guy”. It is at least known that he maintains an intimate relationship with his parents. Pictures of Mama Nathalie and Papa Frederic adorn his shin pads.
They should continue to be proud of their son, to whom the French fans even dedicated a song after the dream goal against Argentina. That’s what moved him, Pavard said. His hope: “Maybe FC Bayern will give me a song in German.”
