KARIM BENZEMA

Gerard Houllier is a great coach. He made me grow. He gave me chances in big games, which raised my confidence. It opened my eyes to what I could do. It was through him that I managed to trust myself.

The public digs needled me to rebel. They forced me to work harder.

For the moment, I haven't ended my career. I'm young. There are still a lot of goals.

For me, I have always thought a squad comes before everything. I always make decisions for the good of the French national team.

I'm not going to give up. If people think I'm going to give up the French national team, they're mistaken. I'm still here, and I'm still hungry for trophies.

I started with Paul Le Guen. He told me to double up in positions if he was missing a left back or a midfielder. From that moment, it was clear in my mind that I would be a professional footballer, and I began working even faster to get there.

I have faith in the players, who have paid me back on the pitch. I have brought in young players because they have a lot of potential. I'm the only one who decides, and I take decisions based on sporting reasons.

What I would like is to at least have a discussion with the coach, that he tells me what he thinks. I have to know.

What I have more of a problem accepting is the criticism of former players turned journalists, who - some of them - spread their hatred.

I don't need money, and when I do a favor, I expect nothing back.

We footballers don't address one another as 'My dear.'

I started with Paul Le Guen. He told me to double up in positions if he was missing a left back or a midfielder. From that moment, it was clear in my mind that I would be a professional footballer, and I began working even faster to get there.

Some people say I don't love the French national team. If that were the case, I would have said so directly to the coach, because I'm a big boy.

What I would like is to at least have a discussion with the coach, that he tells me what he thinks. I have to know.

For me, I have always thought a squad comes before everything. I always make decisions for the good of the French national team.

Gerard Houllier is a great coach. He made me grow. He gave me chances in big games, which raised my confidence. It opened my eyes to what I could do. It was through him that I managed to trust myself.

As long as Didier Deschamps is coach, I have no chance of getting back into the France team.

I have faith in the players, who have paid me back on the pitch. I have brought in young players because they have a lot of potential. I'm the only one who decides, and I take decisions based on sporting reasons.

What I have more of a problem accepting is the criticism of former players turned journalists, who - some of them - spread their hatred.

I'm not going to give up. If people think I'm going to give up the French national team, they're mistaken. I'm still here, and I'm still hungry for trophies.

When you play in a great club like Real Madrid, it's hard to stay here.

I always talk with my technical staff before I announce a squad. I have always done that; I am changing nothing.

I don't need money, and when I do a favor, I expect nothing back.

Personally, what goes beyond sport, you have to put to one side. You need the best to win trophies.

The public digs needled me to rebel. They forced me to work harder.

One must just keep having good seasons with many great matches, whether one is with the club or the French national side. For me, this must be a player's goal in his head, even if it's an individual trophy, and the first thought must be on the collective.

It's true that in my family, everyone loves football. So it's great to have a family that's united behind you and doesn't leave you.

For the moment, I haven't ended my career. I'm young. There are still a lot of goals.