After serious injury before World Cup – super talent Iman Beni returns

Amazingly, the then 16-year-old Iman Beni made the squad for the 2023 World Cup, but she tore her cruciate ligament. Now that she has returned to the national team, she is more mature.

Raphael Gutzweiler/ch media

In July 2023, the weather is hot. In Yverdon, the Swiss national team is preparing for the World Cups in New Zealand and Australia. Iman Beney sat in a chair and asked that the interview be in French. She then spoke a little shyly about her father, former professional footballer Nicolas Beni, and her brother Romeo, who plays for FC Basel. She raved about the feeling of being part of the national team. “I'm very prepared. I think there's a chance I'll be allowed to go to New Zealand,” she said.

In fact, a few days later, in a friendly against Zambia, the 16-year-old sensationally entered the World Cup finals squad with an outstanding performance and a brilliant assist. Switzerland will play Morocco again before departing for New Zealand. It happened in the last training session of that game: Iman Beni tore his cruciate ligament. The 16-year-old prodigy from Bas Valais is about to reach the end of his World Cup dream.

Shortly before the 2023 World Cup, Beni (right) suffered a serious injury.Image: KEYSTONE

Now, more than 15 months later, Iman Beni has finally donned the Swiss national team jersey again. She sat on the chair again, and this time several members of the media formed a semicircle around her. There is a lot of interest in returnees. Beni is now an adult and has returned to the national team with her outstanding performance in the YB women's team. This time Beni answered the interview questions more maturely. She speaks standard German and answers with the clarity of a professional. Only when she can't think of a German word does her awkward smile remind you of Yverdon's shy 16-year-old girl.

She watched from more than 18,000 kilometers away

Of course, the conversation revolves around July 2023, when Beni tore his cruciate ligament and ended his dream of playing in the World Cup as a 16-year-old. “It was very, very difficult. Especially in the first few days.” When Switzerland reached the last 16 of the World Cup in New Zealand, Beni watched on television from more than 18,000 kilometers away. Two weeks after the injury, she underwent surgery and began her long journey back.

The 2023 World Cup takes place without super-talented Beni.Image: EPA AAP

The Beni family's familiarity with football also helped Iman Beni at this stage. Father Nicolas Beni was responsible for the goals at Weir, Sion, Yverdon and Aarau. Aunt Noemi Beni played 45 international matches for A-Nati. Younger brother Romeo is currently working hard to prove himself as a winger at Basel Club.

Iman Beni said her father played an important role in the period following the injury. “I lived with my parents in the Valais for the first three months. My father gave me a notebook. Every day I had to write down what I did in physiotherapy and what helped me. When I returned to Bern At YB, I knew exactly what could help me and what I needed.”

Since the start of the season, Iman Beni has returned to the YB Women's Football Team and has scored 5 goals in 10 games in the league and cup. She's not completely satisfied yet, but she's on the right path: “I was a little scared at the beginning and didn't have the courage to do it. But things have gotten a lot better in the last few games.”

Iman Beney has scored 10 goals for YB so far this season.Image: fxp-fr-sda-rtp

With your best friend in the national team

Beni said she was a bit surprised to be selected for the Swiss national team again. She now plays for the national team alongside Naomi Luye. The two 18-year-old YB players have a long-standing friendship and played together at Sion Football Club. When her friend was injured, Luye joined the national team and now the two talents are together for the first time. “I'm very happy. It's very special to be selected for the national team with her,” Beni said.

The two talents will not feature together in Friday's 1-1 draw with Australia. After the break, Beni came on as a substitute for Luye and performed well. Especially in the 62nd minute, she broke through two opponents one after another. Is it her mother's Brazilian influence? When asked about it, Beni smiled and said: “No, it wasn't planned, it just happened during the game.”

Beni celebrated her return to the national team against Australia.Picture: www.imago-images.de

After the game, Pia Sandhage had high praise for her performance. “I'm very satisfied, Iman performed well.” Sandhatch said, when asked about his rather unusual role on the wing in a five-man defence. “Iman can play anywhere.” Captain Leah Lia Wälti was also full of praise for the prodigy: “I really like her. I believe she will play a key role in the national team.”

The match against Australia is Beni's second international match and continues with France in Geneva on Tuesday. For the 18-year-old, it's also a chance to force her way into the home European Championships again next summer.

The timing of her return is right: “The timing of my return to the national team is good. Now I can take it step by step so that I can get there in the summer.” This time, Iman Beni's finals dream should be Reality. (riz/aargauerzeitung.ch)

Nico Hischier, 1 goal, 3 shots, 19:10 TOI
Timo Meier, 1 assist, 1 sweep, 1 check, 16:26 TOI
Jonas Siegenthaler, 2 assists, 2 shots, 1 block, 22 minutes and 27 seconds TOI​