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MLS golden boot winner reflects on first 'love' in England - Aston Villa
Christian Benteke has spoken about his “love” for his former club Aston Villa, whom he keeps a close eye on from across the pond where he’s currently plying his trade at DC United.
Now 33, the Belgian international has no plans to hang up his boots any time soon in the Autumn of his outstanding playing career which has just seen him secure Major League Soccer’s Golden Boot after scoring 23 goals – three more than Messi and his Inter Miami team-mate Luis Suarez and LAFC’s Denis Bouanga.
With 17 years as a professional behind him including 280 Premier League appearances and 45 Belgium caps, Benteke still keeps across events in Europe and is delighted at how Villa have performed in this season’s Champions League.
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“A huge club,” the striker calls the team with whom he spent three seasons between 2012-15, having joined from Genk for £7million before going on to be signed by Liverpool for a whopping release clause figure of £32.5m, having bagged 49 goals in 101 appearances in all competitions (42 in 89 in the Premier League).
“With Liverpool it is more expected but Villa was my first team in England. The love is different. They haven’t been in the Champions League for a while so to see them playing well at Villa Park on a Tuesday or Wednesday is something nice.”
Having signed on at DC for another year, he’s determined to be in the best shape possible when the 2025 campaign comes around in February.
“Messi and Ronaldo are four or five years older than me and they still play, so who are we not to push ourselves?,” he told BBC Sport.
“It’s not luck. It’s hard work. They look after their bodies, which is something we can all do. We might not have their qualities or everything they have but as a high-elite athlete, we can all look after our bodies.”
Benteke, who has featured in two European Championships, has not played for Belgium since 2022. He was not selected for Euro 2024 and although the next World Cup is being played in his current home, it feels unlikely he will be involved then either.
He makes it clear the lack of involvement is not of his making.
“I am still playing in a very good league and I am still a professional so why should I retire from the national team?” he said.
“I am not obsessed about it and I am not putting any type of pressure or focus on it. But as long as I am playing, I will leave the door open. That is just common sense for me. It’s the day I retire from my club that will mean it is also the end for the national team.”
