Karim Benzema could reverse his decision to retire from international football if Zinedine Zidane replaces Didier Deschamps as France boss.
On Monday, the striker said his time with the national team was “ending.”
The 35-year-old star of Real Madrid, Karim Benzema, was ruled out with a thigh injury on the eve of the World Cup.
Before Benzema appeared to ruthlessly rule himself out via a social media post, there were rumors that he might be joining the team for the championship game.
After losing to Argentina in the championship game on penalties, Didier Deschamps’ job security was called into question.
According to the French publication Foot Mercato, Benzema may reconsider his decision to retire if Zidane succeeds Deschamps as coach.
According to reports, Deschamps, 54, will consult with Noel Le Graet, president of the French Football Federation, in January to determine his future.
The former midfielder’s contract, which has been with the national team for the past ten years, expires on December 31.
It is said that both Le Graet and French President Emmanuel Macron favor keeping Deschamps in charge.
Deschamps would demand a contract that lasts until the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup if he stays, according to L’Equipe, but a decision has not yet been made.
However, Zidane has previously been mentioned as a potential replacement if he decides to depart.
Since leaving Real Madrid last year, the 50-year-old has been unemployed.
At the Bernabeu, Zidane and Benzema had great success together, winning three Champions League titles.
In addition, if Zidane were to succeed Deschamps, it’s believed that he could persuade Benzema to come out of international retirement.
According to Diario AS, Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos stated: “I definitely think Zizou would not only be a good successor but the best possible successor.”
“The big question is: what does Didier Deschamps want? I’d say there’s a 70/30 chance for Zizou to become France’s new coach.”
“I think he really wants to get back onto the training field.”
Why Did Benzema Retire From International Football?
On his 35th birthday, one day after France’s heartbreaking 2022 World Cup final defeat to Argentina, Karim Benzema announced his retirement from international football.
Due to a thigh injury sustained the day before the competition began in Qatar, Benzema was unable to compete and will not represent France again.
Due to allegations of blackmail, he missed five years of international competition for his nation.
With 97 caps under his belt, he is sixth among all-time French goal scorers with 37 goals.
“I made the effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today and I’m proud of it!” the France International Tweeted.
“I have written my story and ours is ending.”
First called up in 2006, Benzema was a member of the Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup teams who lost in the group stage.
Real Madrid’s best player was controversially left off the World Cup roster in 2010, but Laurent Blanc, the new manager, quickly brought him back.
The most that Benzema could do in significant international competitions was lose in the quarterfinals of the 2012 Euro and the 2014 World Cup.
Benzema was detained in 2015 for his alleged involvement in the extortion of Mathieu Valbuena, a then-teammate from France.
After being passed over for Euro 2016, when France lost to Portugal in the championship game after extra time, he lashed out at the French Football Federation and manager Didier Deschamps.
Karim Benzema
Karim Mostafa Benzema, a French professional footballer who plays as a striker for La Liga team Real Madrid and serves as its captain, was born on December 19, 1987.
Benzema is recognized as one of the greatest strikers of all time and is a prolific and imaginative attacker.
He is second all-time in goals scored and assists given for Real Madrid.
With Real Madrid, Benzema has amassed 23 trophies, including five UEFA Champions League championships, two Copa del Reys, and four La Liga championships.
Benzema, a French international, made his senior debut for France in 2007 at the age of 19. He won the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in 2004.
Since then, he has amassed almost 95 caps, is France’s fifth-highest all-time leading scorer, has participated in four major tournaments, and has scored in three of them.
After being accused of blackmailing someone in 2015, Benzema was controversially taken out of the France team for the 2010 World Cup and did not play for France for nearly five years. He then rejoined the team until announcing his retirement from international competition in December 2022.
He has received four French Player of the Year awards from France Football. Benzema won the Ballon d’Or and the UEFA Player of the Year for his efforts in 2021 and 2022, making him the fifth French player to do so.
