• News

Karim Benzema backed for surprise France recall

Karim Benzema, France
Getty Images
Advertisement

Robert Pires rates Karim Benzema highly and believes the Real Madrid striker deserves another chance to play for France once again.

A 4-0 friendly win over Armenia on October 2015 was the last time Benzema suited up for France after his relationship with head coach Didier Deschamps broke down.

The Real Madrid striker was infamously arrested that year for allegedly blackmailing Les Bleus teammate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape in 2015. And while the police dropped charges, his international career went down the drain.

Therefore, Benzema missed Euro 2016 and the World Cup triumph back in 2018 in Russia.

Considering his impressive form for Real Madrid, however, Pires believes Deschamps should reconsider his stance on the 32-year-old.

“It’s a tricky issue, one that has created and continues to create a lot of debate in France,” the former Arsenal and France winger told AS.

“I’m not really interested in whatever happened between him and Valbuena, but given all that he has achieved and is achieving at Real Madrid, of course, he deserves a France call-up.

“He’s one of the best strikers in Europe. But Deschamps has the final say.”

Benzema managed 27 goals and 18 assists in 81 appearances for France prior to his expulsion from the squad.

x