Trezeguet accepts France axe

Striker recognises international pecking order

By Patrick Haond   Last updated: 9th October 2007

Trezeguet accepts France axe

Trezeguet: Dropped

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David Trezeguet insists he now accepts he is no longer a first choice forward for France.

The 29-year-old Juventus striker has fallen behind Barcelona's Thierry Henry and Bolton's Nicolas Anelka in France coach Raymond Domenech's pecking order.

Trezeguet, the current top scorer in Serie A, has been left out of Domenech's squad for the forthcoming qualifiers with Faroe Islands and Lithuania and he had previously criticised the decision.

However, Trezeguet - who won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship with France - now understands his coach's call.

Aware

"I am perfectly aware that Titi (Henry) and Nico (Anelka) are first choice in the French team," Trezeguet told France Football.

"Then there are Djibril Cisse, Karim Benzema, Louis Saha and myself. I am not naive.

"It is obvious Titi and Nico are above us in Domenech's mind. He has found his system and balance with them."

Trezeguet also singled out Benzema for special praise and believes the Lyon player will become a big star.

Extraordinary

"In Karim, I can partly see me at the same age at Monaco," Trezeguet added. "He has achieved an extraordinary start to the season at Lyon, even if l'OL are not the same as in the past.

"I am really impressed by Karim. He has everything, left foot, right foot, desire, daring and dribbling sense.

"He still has to show his qualities at Lyon and then he will leave. Ligue 1 is perfect to show yourself growing, but a high-level is somewhere else.

"Benzema has all the qualities to become a great forward. I believe he represents the future of the French team."