Inter Milan & France FIFA World Cup Star Names Ex Real Madrid Legend As Inspiration: ‘He’s A 9 But Also A 10’ | OneFootball

Inter Milan striker Marcus Thuram considers legendary former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema an inspiration for his style of play.

The French international named Benzema as a role model in an interview with Italian broadcaster DAZN, via FCInterNews.

Thuram has hit the ground running at Inter.

From his goals and assists to his linkup play, there has been little adjustment period necessary for the 26-year-old to find his form.

And Thuram has done so in a position that hasn’t always been his usual one.

For much of his career, the Frenchman has played as more of a winger than an out-and-out striker.

Despite his height, Thuram has relied more on his speed and dribbling than physical dominance. And this has naturally marked him out as a wide player.

And this pace and technicality continues to serve Thuram well as a centre-forward.

But there is no doubt that the 26-year-old is a player who leads the line for Inter. And for his part, Thuram feels that he has learned a lot from multiple-Champions League winner Benzema.

Marcus Thuram Names Karim Benzema As Inspiration

As far as his relationship with Benzema, Thuram said that it is “100% is inspirational.”

“He plays as a nine, but also as a ten,” the Nerazzurri striker noted of the former Real Madrid and Lyon man. “And even on the wing.”

“In every portion of the pitch he can give solutions to his team,” Thuram noted.

“And that’s the kind of Number Nine I want to be.”

“He gave me a lot of advice, but the most important is to respect the game.”

“Shoot if you need to shoot. Pass if you need to pass. Always find the right response for the situation.”

Asked which Inter player was the first to welcome him this summer, Thuram named “Dimarco.”

“He told me that he’d been waiting for me to arrive for two years.”