Before the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the last time a defender of the France football team scored a goal in the World Cup was in 1998 when Lilian Thuram scored in the game against Croatia in the semi -final which would see the French side lift the trophy for the first time in their history. The next time a defender would score for the team, 20 years later, Benjamin Pavard netted an electrifying goal in the game against Argentina en route to securing a place in the World Cup final.
While the goal is certainly something many would talk about for many years, there’s a lot that isn’t known about the young French defender who plays for VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.
Benjamin Pavard Biography, Age
It was on March 28, 1996 that Pavard was born in France, in Maubeuge. He was raised in his country of origin by his parents in a rather humble environment.
Growing up, the French defender had his life revolve strictly around football, thanks to his father. Instead of the toys that many children had, the only toy he could play with was a soccer ball. Thanks to this, he was able to enter the American Jeumont when he was only six years old. Three years later, his parents sent him to the Lille youth team to continue developing his skills.
Benjamin Pavard continued playing with the youth team for the next 10 years until 2015 when he was promoted to play for Lille B. 20 games and seeing the back of the net once he moved on to play in Ligue 1 for Lille.
Professional career
In 2016, he signed a contract with VfB Stuttgart that would see him play for the team for four years. By the end of the 2017/2018 season, the defender had already kicked the ball in 55 games for the Bundesliga and in doing so, he scored 2 goals.
Benjamin Pavard started his journey to play for the French national team in 2015 when he got a call to play for the France U19 team. In the same year, he received a call-up to play for the U21 side which he would pursue until 2017.
As part of the build-up to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Pavard received his call up to the national team when he was invited by Didier Deschamps and got his first chance in the match against the Welshman which the Blues went on to win. His invitation continued when he was named as one of the players to represent the country in the tournament proper in Russia.
His first international goal came against Argentina from a shot he took from outside the box from 18 yards. The sensational goal that helped send Argentina out of the tournament in the last 16 was considered by many to be one of the best goals of the tournament.
In 2018, the only accolade he recorded with a club was his 2nd Bundesliga title which he won in 2017. His CV is also bolder with his success with the France team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup .
Relationship
If you’re wondering if the France star man is married, he isn’t. Nevertheless, he is known to be in a relationship with Rachel Legrain-Trapani. Legrain-Trapani was first married to Aurélien Capoue in 2013. The marriage, however, did not survive beyond 2016.
Italian-born Rachel Legrain-Trapani is a model who became Miss France in 2007. Prior to her previous marriage and relationship with Pavard, the pageant holder dated French track and field athlete Ladji Doucoure. It was after that that she went on to marry her ex-husband who was a footballer.
Height, weight and body measurements
There is hardly any argument that the young defender is a handsome man. He also has a good size, although he’s not necessarily the most well-built defender you’ll see. Yet he always managed to be a key player whether in his country’s shirt or playing for his club.
Benjamin Pavard has a height that measures 6 feet 1 inch (1.86 m) and a body weight of 148 pounds (67 kg). His other body measurements are not known, but he has an athletic build.