Camavinga: "Playing at the 2022 World Cup is a goal for me"
Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga told Telefoot how his transfer from Rennes came about and gave his first impressions of his new side.
Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who was signed by the LaLiga giants from Rennes in the summer transfer window, spoke to popular French Sunday morning television programme Téléfoot and explained how his move came about, what he hopes to ahchieve with Madrid this season and his aspirations with France alongside teammate Karim Benzema.
“When I learned that Real Madrid were tracking me and were willing to make an offer to sign me, I didn’t hesitate for a moment. These are things you can’t drag your feet on,” the 18-year-old told Téléfoot. “Rennes are my lifelong team; I watch all their games in Ligue 1. It’s true I could have stayed at Rennes, they will always be in my heart and I will never forget them. I’ll be back at the stadium to see all my friends there soon.”
Camavinga: "I never thought I'd score on my debut"
Camavinga is being eased into the side under Carlo Ancelotti, playing 151 minutes in the league over four games so far, but found the net on his debut for Madrid, a dream start to his Bernabéu career. “When I’m on the pitch I want to help the team. I wasn’t directly involved if you look at the goal, I was on the right and I took advantage o the rebound to score. At first, I didn’t celebrate because I never thought I’d score on my debut. I looked at the referee first then it all went mad.”
Speaking about his first impressions at Madrid, Camavinga singled out his international teammate Karim Benzema for praise and the intensity of training sessions. “The technical quality and training are what most stood out when I arrived. On my first day, I was tired after the first session but I’ve been getting used to it. Perhaps the language has been the hardest thing, I like to have a laugh with everyone and make jokes but I haven’t got a good command of Spanish yet. Karim is a leader, we have talked a lot and I didn’t really know it but he’s a very funny guy. He gets on well with everyone in the squad and he leads by example.”
Camavinga eyeing place at World Cup with Les Bleus
Camavinga made his debut for Les Bleus a year ago at the age of 17, becoming the third-youngest France debutant in history (behind Julien Verbrugghe and Maurice Gastiger) and the youngest since 1914 to represent his country, although he has since returned to the under-21s after three caps in 2020. “I am at the best club in the world, so that will help me to try and get back into the France team,” he said. “Playing at the 2022 World Cup is a goal for me. I have to play well here, because my performances with Madrid are what will help me get back into the France team.”