Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga has suggested his physical transformation has plenty to do with his rise in importance with club and country over the past 12 months.
Camavinga was largely a fringe player taking time to settle and adapt when he first joined Madrid from Rennes aged just 18 in the summer of 2021. That continued at the start of last season, but it has been a different story since the 2022 World Cup break.
The Frenchman finished last season starting more often than not, either as a left-back or in midfield. So far this season, he has started three times in La Liga in his favoured midfield role as Carlo Ancelotti continues to phase out Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, 37 and 33 respectively.
Camavinga made his senior France debut way back in 2020 when he was still only 17 and was named in the squad for the 2022 World Cup. But it is since the tournament in Qatar, where he played only sparingly as Les Bleus finished as runners-up, that he has become a regular.
The 20-year-old has admitted the root of his growing success has been physical work, allowing him to become stronger and more resilient.
"I am a fairly fragile person. Now I'm a little less fragile," he told Telefoot. "I think working in the gym is important. I think that my physical transformation is being noticed."
Camavinga also admitted signing for Real Madrid has changed his mentality because of the demands of the club, where failing to win trophies is unacceptable.
"When you are at Real Madrid, you have to think more. The most important thing is to think like that too, because it is a winning mentality," he said. "Ultimately, I want to win more Champions Leagues. Winning, in turn, a World Cup, the Euros, winning everything."
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This article was originally published on 90min as Eduardo Camavinga reveals the reason behind his rise at Real Madrid.
