Zinedine Zidane is unhappy with France not including the name of one of his key players, Karim Benzema. The 33-year-old forward made his last appearance for the international team back in the 2016 Euros.
Les Bleus have a variety of options to be selected for leading the line including Kylian Mbappe, Olivier Giroud, and Antoine Griezmann among the favoured players. Thus, Benzema faces a lot of competition. However, considering his recent form, he deserves to have a reunion.
Benzema scored two goals in their 3-1 win against Celta Vigo in the La Liga. Will he return to the French squad for their World Cup defence?
Zidane struggling to understand why Benzema is left out from his national team:
Karim Benzema had been a key player for Real Madrid even after the collapse of ‘BBC’ trio, comprising of Gareth Bale, Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the France international football team have not included him in the 23-member squad since 2016.
Adil Rami, his former teammate at France, wished for a reunion with Benzema after a 2-0 defeat to Finland in 2015.
“It’s very frustrating not to have Benzema in this team to compete with Giroud. We also need Giroud, but if there was a reconciliation with the coach it would be great to see Benzema in blue again. This history is stupid – if it’s necessary for Karim to apologise publicly or in front of the coach, he should do it. Think of Les Bleus!” said Adil Rami.
Didier Deschamps hasn’t included the veteran forward in the national squad after a statement by Benzema in June 2016. In the interview with Marca, he stated that the coach had been influenced by a racist sector of French society to not recall him. The debate of not picking him is still on due to Benzema’s fine form.
He is currently third in the race for Pichichi in the La Liga scoring 17 goals in 28 matches so far. His Real Madrid coach was full praise for him, after a clinical performance against Celta Vigo. He said as follows,
“You don’t understand [why he isn’t called up]. I don’t understand it. Many don’t understand it. But, as coach of Real Madrid, it’s better for me. But, what he did today once again was spectacular. I’m happy for him because he’s a hard worker and he always wants more. From the first minute, we all went for it in this game and I think we deserved the victory.”
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