The president of the French Football Federation said Saturday that for the striker of Real Madrid "the adventure in blue is over".
"The adventure in blue is over." Aiming Karim Benzema, this little phrase, launched Saturday by Christmas Le Graët, president of the French Football Federation (FFF), shows that the "case Benzema" still has not finished shaking France round ball.
Zinedine Zidane, who put the "case" on the table a few days ago. For the coach of Real Madrid, where the striker evolves, this one "Has its place in the France team". This is what he said Friday, November 8, the day after the announcement of the list of 23 Blue called for the last two qualifying matches at the Euro-2020.
"If you ask me the question, Zinédine Zidane, footballistically, (Karim Benzema) it's just the best. So yes, he has his place in the French team, assured the former number 10 of the Blues, relying, in particular, on the excellent start of the season of the player: top scorer (9 goals) of the championship of Spain, he has also just overcome the legend Alfredo Di Stéfano in the number of goals scored in the Champions League for the club merengue (50 against 49).
But Karim Benzema has not appeared in the Blues since October 2015 and the start of the case of sextape blackmail against another player of the French team, Mathieu Valbuena, case in which he has been indicted. And that is not ready to change. In any case as Christmas Le Graët will be president of the FFF and Didier Deschamps coach of the Blues.
This is what the first recalled Saturday, November 16, reviving, in passing, a pass with weapons Karim Benzema who responded immediately. "I have never criticized his qualities. He shows again this year in Madrid that he is one of the best players in his post but the adventure in blue is over », said Noël Le Graët at the microphone of RMC Sport.
"Christmas I thought you were not interfering in the coach's decisions! Know that it's me and me alone that would put an end to my international career "added Karim Benzema in a tweet. "If you think I'm finished, let me play for one of the countries for which I'm eligible and we'll see", also launched the 31-year-old striker on the blocked counter at 81 caps with the Blues.
Recurrent debate
The Benzema "case" is a recurring debate. A year and a half ago, Noël Le Graët had already considered that the relation of the scorer with the France team was "Old history". "You have lost an opportunity to shut up"replied Karim Benzema.
" It's a sporting choice, no point! " repeats for his part since Didier Deschamps about the non-selection of the player. " I think it's not good for the France team, the coach has reiterated in a documentary broadcast on TF1 in October. I did not say it was bad. This is not for my pleasure or against … But it's because I consider things in relation to the team of France and what this jersey represents. That's all. "
"Everyone has to assume his words", also said Didier Deschamp in an interview at The Team, published Saturday, November 16th. He spoke about accusations of racism that had been brought against him in 2016 and that led to the tagging of the word "racist" on his second home in Concarneau (Finistère).
In an interview with the Spanish daily MarcaKarim Benzema had explained that Didier Deschamps had "Yielded under the pressure of a racist party of France". In March 2017, the player said he could not "Do not regret those words because that's true. It's obvious ", but he had specified that he had " never thought for a second that Didier Deschamps or Noël Le Graët were racist. Never. "
The contract of Didier Deschamps runs until Euro 2020. It is possible, even likely, that it be extended by two years. The "Benzema case" should not evolve by then. But it is possible, even likely, that it is still surfacing regularly.
