Coupet Slams 'Gangster' Benzema

Former Lyon goalkeeper Gregory Coupet has bemoaned the generation gap that has left his ex-team mate Karim Benzema with the reputation of a 'gangster' at the age of only 20.

Benzema is one of the hottest properties in the game, and seems set to depart Stade Gerland for one of Europe's top clubs within the next few months.

His form for the French champions has catapulted him into the limelight at a tender age, and he is lacking the necessary experience to deal with the attention that inevitably comes his way, according to Coupet

Benzema's former Lyon colleague believes that the forward has garnered the image of a surly, unapproachable 'gangster' due to the indulgences afforded to today's professionals.

Coupet remembers a time when young stars were not given as much leeway, and feels that Benzema is suffering a modern sickness.

The Atlético Madrid netminder suggests that today's game is thought of only in terms of a business, and that emerging talents like Benzema are losing sight of the values of the sport.

He told L'Equipe: “Karim is an outstanding player, a future world-class one. But he is only 20. And today we accept anything from young players, give them too much.

“Karim would not have this attitude if he was better advised. If I was in charge of his PR, first things first, I would ask him to smile a bit because he has a nasty face on every picture.

“And seeing that makes me sad because I know him well and can tell you he is a top guy. But at the age of 20 he is already ‘the gangster.'

“Today Karim is more focused on himself, about a business plan. And that makes our sport die a bit because we do not bring the same pleasure to the fans any more.”

Peter Staunton, Goal.com