Stuttgart's World Cup hero Benjamin Pavard makes early return to pre-season training
Stuttgart's World Cup-winning defender Benjamin Pavard has cut short his holidays because he cannot wait to get back into Bundesliga action.
After lifting football's ultimate prize with France in Moscow on 15 July and earning himself the honour of scoring the tournament's best goal, Pavard was supposed to be enjoying another few days' break before beginning pre-season training early next week.
However, the 22-year-old, who was one of Stuttgart's stand-out performers last season, asked his club if he could swap the suntan cream for his studs to begin his build-up to the 2018/19 campaign on Wednesday.
Translation: Our world champion is back in training!
"I am delighted to be back and VfB and with my lads again. I am naturally also looking forward to seeing the coach Tayfun Korkut, the complete trainer-team and all our wonderful staff," said the France international, whose fan chant, sung around Russia by fans of Les Bleus' cult hero, was taken up by his team-mates during the tournament.
"Aside from that, I really must thank my team mates for their fantastic song."
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Pavard's speedy return means he is likely to be in contention to feature when Stuttgart start their new Bundesliga campaign at Mainz on 26 August.
"It’s a wonderful signal from Benji, who was actually still supposed to be on holiday until next Monday," VfB sporting director Michael Reschke explained. "However, he imperatively wanted to get right back into training with the team again – which we are very happy about."