RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Henrichs: ‘I want to play at the World Cup’
After making his comeback for RB Leipzig after over a year out through injury, Benjamin Henrichs is looking ahead at what’s next. In a wide-ranging interview, the German full-back has shed light on his long journey through recovery, his targeting a World Cup spot, and the many new faces around him at the club after a large-scale summer rebuild.
Bundesliga: 400 days after rupturing your Achilles tendon, you made your return to the pitch against Heidenheim on Matchday 19. You said afterwards that it was one of the most emotional moments of your career. How did it feel to be back on the pitch after so long?
Henrichs: “I think in that moment it definitely feels as if everything is going through your mind a bit. Coming on, you know that, including stoppage time, you might only get three or four minutes. But you’re just happy to be back on the pitch.
“I went through a lot. Two surgeries, some complications, and many setbacks. It was not an easy time at all. I think I learned a lot, especially when it comes to patience, but also when comparing myself to other people in similar situations. Everybody reacts differently to these things, and I think I took a lot from that.
“Of course, all the people close to me – my friends, my family, my teammates - they helped me a lot. I had great people around me.”
Henrichs documented his long recovery in a YouTube series 'Faith Over Fear'
Bundesliga: After the final whistle against Heidenheim, you were in tears – what exactly triggered this reaction?
Henrichs: “For me personally, I’ve experienced a lot. There were times when it was really hard. I think I spent the first five months on crutches, and initially, my aim had been to be back after five months. But having to first relearn how to walk wasn’t something I had expected.
“I think my teammates, even though many are new here, know what I went through - especially those who were there from the beginning and who saw me back then on the pitch with the ball. They felt it too and I think they were extremely happy because they had seen how hard I trained and worked to get back on the pitch. I think you could see that.
“It made me very happy, and it showed me that my standing in the team is still there, that I’m accepted, even though there are many new players who didn’t really know me on the pitch before. A lot has changed, but you could see the joy in everyone.”
Bundesliga: Was the comeback exactly as you had imagined it?
Henrichs: “No, I think you always set goals and imagine your ideal scenario. My ideal scenario was to be back after five months, to score a goal, and then for us to win. Instead, it took 13 months and I was on the pitch for three minutes. We did still win, though I didn’t score - but emotionally, I don’t think it could have been any better.
“Even if you’re not playing in front of your own fans or your family isn’t there, you know what you’ve been through, and in that moment you’re just happy.”
Watch: Henrichs made his return as Leipzig saw off Heidenheim
Bundesliga: What role has coach Ole Werner played in your return to the team?
Henrichs: “For a coach who comes in afresh, it’s difficult when a player is injured and not really present. When he arrived, I was in the middle of rehab, working really hard on coming back. Then during the training camp, I had another setback and had to miss several weeks again.
“You can feel that in conversations with the coach. I think it makes a difference when a coach has played himself. He knows what you’re going through; he knows what injuries are like, and can understand it better. That was the case. We talked, and of course he was very happy when I was back on the pitch for the first time in the training camp in January. I felt that.”
Bundesliga: What are your goals now that you’ve returned to playing?
Henrichs: “Of course, even during the injury, I told myself I would play at the World Cup. I want to be there. That’s my big goal. After 13 months without football, it won’t be easy, but I’m very confident. I’ve now had my first game back, and I think I can still get there. I’ll give it everything.
“When you’re back on the pitch, you have a completely different appreciation for it. You don’t take it for granted anymore. You’re just grateful and you enjoy every moment. In that sense, the injury also helped me to grow.”
Bundesliga: With the likes of Yan Diomande, Rômulo, Antonio Nusa and Assan Ouédraogo, Leipzig have some exciting young talents in the squad. What makes these players so special?
Henrichs: “We have incredible quality and a very young team. We have players with huge potential and big ambitions. It’s important that the hype around them doesn’t get too much and that they stay clear-headed. You can see that - they stay grounded and perform consistently week after week, even at their young age. We had a big rebuild, and it has been very good for us.”
Bundesliga: Next up for you is a huge clash with Borussia Dortmund. How excited are you about a game like that?
Henrichs: “Dortmund is definitely one of those Bundesliga games you always look forward to, whether at home or away. They’re usually very even matches. Form on the day decides a lot. The atmosphere will be great - that’s the perfect setting to be back playing in. These are the games you miss most when you’re injured.”
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