After missing the World Cup following a disappointing season at Real Madrid and being questioned by police in a prostitution probe, Karim Benzema is hoping his recall to the France squad will herald ''a brand new start'' on the pitch.
The 22-year-old Benzema is widely considered one of the most talented strikers in the world, but was dropped by former France coach Raymond Domenech last season and was then questioned by police along with Franck Ribery over allegations they solicited an underage prostitute.
However, new coach Laurent Blanc showed his faith in the player by calling him up for Wednesday's friendly against Norway, and Benzema said he is intent on proving the coach right.
''For me this is a brand new start,'' Benzema said at France's training camp. ''I really appreciate Laurent Blanc's philosophy. He loves beautiful football and so do I. And I'm also determined to work hard constantly.''
Benzema looked relaxed and comfortable when meeting with reporters, but refused to answer questions about the ongoing police investigation.
''If you ask me questions about football, I will answer,'' Benzema told a journalist who wanted to know if the striker was worried about his meeting with the press. ''For other matters, ask somebody else.''
Benzema joined Madrid from Lyon for ?35 million ($44.4 million) last year, but scored just eight league goals and failed to impress Domenech, who left him off the World Cup squad despite having used the striker in 27 games since first calling him up in 2007.
France went on to have a disastrous World Cup campaign, failing to win a game and embarrassing the country after the players decided to go on strike in protest of striker Nicolas Anelka being sent home for insulting Domenech.
The striker said he has learned from his struggles, and said fans will see a more mature Benzema on the pitch this season.
''I'm a completely different player,'' Benzema said. ''I've grown up and I will try to be myself on the pitch, I will stop trying to complicate things.''
Blanc kept a watchful eye on Benzema as he talked to journalists, and then praised the striker for being able to stay focused despite his recent difficulties
''He gave the right answers,'' Blanc with a smile before leaving the room.
Blanc decided to drop all World Cup players for the Norway friendly as collective punishment for their actions in South Africa, and Benzema knows he has to impress the coach in order to stay in the team when his teammates return.
''When you receive a call for the national squad, you need to perform well even when you're playing friendlies,'' Benzema said. ''You constantly need to be at the top.''
The striker also said he will be more comfortable this year in the Spanish capital, and looks forward to playing under new coach Jose Mourinho.
''I've learned to speak Spanish and my whole family will be there with me,'' Benzema said. ''I struggled last year, I can't hide it. But I have the feeling I'm starting my first season there. Mourinho is a great coach, all he wants is hard work and to win matches.''
