“So Foot” tells the story of the Algerian from Milan from his very first steps to landing in the Rossoneri, passing from the French suburbs to his experience in England
He could have made Lazio or Sampdoria happy. Or Manchester City fans. But in the end it is those of Milan who enjoy it, where he has established himself as one of the key elements of Pioli’s team. However, Ismael Bennacer’s landing in the Rossoneri was not a smooth river, as So Foot recounts, with a portrait that traces his journey from his first kicks in the working-class districts of Arles to the splendor of Milan, where the midfielder aims increasingly high, to the Champions League.
Stones and choices
—
Moroccan father, Algerian mother, Bennacer however has a French passport, born and raised in the small town in the south of France, in the Barriol district, all asphalt and concrete. And where football is the only real pastime, as the player says: “We could even play with a stone”. In 2004, Arles signs him. First step of a long journey, not always linear. Despite the proposal to go professional little more than a teenager. But the home club gave no guarantees and Sampdoria knocked on the Bennacers’ door among the first. However, the one who convinced his parents to audition was Lazio. The test was supposed to last a week, the boy left after five days because he understood that the biancocelesti would send him to the Primavera. Thus, in that summer of 2015 Arsenal entered, even if Manchester City did everything to snatch it from their rivals, bringing the family to visit the training center. But Arsene Wenger was still with the Gunners, a guarantee.
Prayers and ambitions
—
In reality Bennacer had to settle for crumbs, but in London he met Olivier Giroud, who became a true friend, with whom he shares a sensitivity to the faith. At Milanello, among other things, the club allows him to pray without a hitch. With Arsenal the midfielder didn’t find space, not even after his loan at Tours, in Ligue 2, so Empoli took advantage of it. A choice that was not taken for granted, at least for the father who feared that he would be doped in Italy. Instead in Tuscany Bennacer matured technically and tactically, imposing himself as one of the best talents in the B championship, attracting Milan’s attention. Meanwhile, the boy had already made his choice for the national team: not France, with whom he played 11 matches between the U18 and U19, but not even Morocco. Better Algeria that immediately offered him a place with the main selection, with which he won the Can in 2019, as best player. In line with his ambitions: “When you’re in B – he explains to SoFoot – you aim for Serie A, then for a Scudetto, then for another and then for the Champions League”. Inter is warned.
May 5, 2023 (change May 5, 2023 | 12:38)
© REPRODUCTION RESERVED
