After the award ceremony, we spoke with Safouane Benzahra. As a brand-new Monegasque, he shared his thoughts with us.
Congratulations on the victory over Atlético Madrid and winning the Otten Innovation Cup!
“Thank you!”
Is this what you had expected?
“Definitely. We went into the tournament fully focused on winning. We knew we were the best, and then there’s only one thing that counts: taking the trophy home. And we did it.”
How has it been to move from the Netherlands to Monaco, and now lift the trophy here in the Netherlands?
“I played in the Netherlands before and then made a great move to Monaco. The first weeks there have gone really well. I was warmly welcomed, everything is well organized, and we trained hard for this tournament. That hard work paid off with this fantastic result.”
How do you look back on your own performance in the tournament?
“I think I delivered a strong performance and I’m very pleased with it.”
Is there one moment you’ll always remember with pride?
“Yes, that’s the moment I scored in the final against Atlético Madrid. That’s something I’ll never forget.”
You’re heading back to Monaco tonight. Are you ready for the new season?
“Winning the Otten Innovation Cup is the perfect way to finish our preparations. We’re ready, and we have to be. First we’ll recover properly, then focus on the start of the new season. Our league begins next Saturday, and that’s where all the focus is now.”
Finally, your last word as a tournament winner
“It’s been a fantastic tournament and really nice to be back in the Netherlands for a bit. But now the full focus goes to the new season in France.”