'He made me believe in myself' Benzema pays tribute to Ronaldo Nazario

Ronaldo Nazario

is widely considered among the greatest footballers of all time. The Brazilian striker achieved multiple honors during the 1990s and early 2000s, including two World Cups with Brazil and two Ballon d'Or awards.

, who is preparing himself for a return to the France national team in the Euros, says Ronaldo has been a source of inspiration for him.

“I met him, I was lucky to meet him in Madrid. He was my role model, he still is.”

Benzema told

.

“He is someone who made me believe in myself, to mirror the skills that he showcased, not in the same way or at the same pace, because he was at a level above me. But this type of attacker is what I like.

“He is the only player from whom I tried to take three or four things. So when I was young, that was when I really loved him. I had a VHS of him from 1996-97 when he was playing at Barca.

“I have always wanted to be a model attacker. Someone who knows how to score, but also to organise p

lay

, who knows how to play with the ball at his feet. One touch, make movements, stay in the box. A bit of everything.”

Benzema was banned from the national team due to being involved in a blackmail controversy with teammate Mathieu Valbuena in 2015. However,

Didier Deschamps

decided to include him in Les Bleus’ squad for the Euros. Ahead of France’s crucial battle against

Germany

on Tuesday, the 33-year-old insists his career is still far from being over.

"I have not yet finished,”

he added.

“I feel good with the man I am, the man I have become.

“I think there have been highs and lows. I have never wanted to be at the highest high or lowest low, I just want to be level.”

After their match against Germany, France will continue the group stage with matches against

Hungary

and

Portugal

on June 19 and 23.

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