Benteke feels like he is moving into a different section of his profession.
That’s why, despite DC United’s rather underdog form, he refuses to have any regrets about extending his stay at the club, which he initially joined midway through the 2022 season, when Wayne Rooney was in charge.
Benteke no longer craves the attention he once did. Freed from the terrain, he is relatively content to live a “normal” time. The relative anonymity in Washington is something he embraces.
“When you’re younger you want people to stop you in the street,” he said. “You want your photo taken or autographs signed because you feel like you’re ‘that guy’, who plays for a team in the Premier League, the most popular league in the world. This is something you want.
“But as you grow, you realize that it’s your process and it’s what you have to do to achieve goals and win games.
“In America you can train and as soon as you finish your session, you can have a normal life, walk to the park, go to the mall, hang out without having to hide or feel uncomfortable, just be a normal guy.
“This date could be my second Christmas. Being close to my country and your children is something you respect. Even if you play at the best possible level, for a Premier League team, sometimes you can have Christmas morning at home , no matter how close you need to travel.
Benteke is still present at events in Europe and is delighted with Villa’s performance in this season’s Champions League.
“A lot of affiliation,” the striker calls them. “With Liverpool it is more expected, but Villa was my first team in England. The affection is different. They have not played in the Champions League for a long time, so we will see them play well at the Villa Ground on a Tuesday or Wednesday. It is a cool thing.”
Benteke, who has participated in two European championships, has not played for Belgium since 2022. He was not selected for Euro 2024 and, although the next World Cup will be played in his current home, it seems unlikely that he will participate at that time either.
Make it clear that the lack of participation is not their fault.
“I’m still playing in a big league and I’m still certified, so why would I have to give up on the national team?” he stated.
“I’m not really obsessed with it and I’m not really exerting any kind of force or focus on it. However, as long as I enjoy it, I can lose sight of the door. This is just a habitual sense for me. .
“The day I retire from my club will also mean the end for the national team.”
