Karim Benzema seems not to be done with France manager Didier Deschamps after the striker’s agency posted pictures of the player’s medical records to prove that he was healthy enough to compete in the 2022 FIFA World Cup knockout rounds.
After the World Cup, Benzema announced his retirement from international competition after allegedly shutting off all communication with the France national team coaching staff as a result of the effects of his injury.
The striker had been given a spot in the French World Cup team, but a thigh injury ultimately prevented him from competing.
Despite having recovered his fitness and being included in the first squad, the Ballon d’Or winner, who was expected to play a pivotal role for Les Bleus at the World Cup, failed to appear on the field for a single minute.
Even the invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron to travel with his VIP entourage to see the World Cup final in Qatar was turned down by Benzema.
It came after the striker posted cryptically in French on Instagram, “Not interested.”
Karim Djaziri, Benzema’s agent, then made available photos of the striker’s medical reports from the competition, which appeared to show that the Real Madrid star was well enough to rejoin the French squad for the World Cup’s knockout rounds – but did not.
As Djaziri shared pictures of his medical tests on social media, the French striker posted something that appears to be a jab at Deschamps: “Cause once you look at it, you know!”
Even though Benzema departed the French World Cup team two days before their opening match against Australia in the group stage, the striker was always optimistic that, should his team advance, he would be healthy enough to play in the championship round.
There was no more communication from the French camp to the player despite sharing pictures of his recovery at Real Madrid’s facilities to announce that his recovery was progressing faster than anticipated. There were reportedly medical tests which demonstrated that he would have been fit to play in the nation’s Round of 16 World Cup game.
The Real Madrid striker had a tremendous season at the club level, scoring goals that helped the Spanish powerhouses win the Champions League and La Liga, culminating in this year’s Ballon d’Or trophy in recognition of his accomplishments.
He was anticipated to be a standout in the World Cup, but due to an injury, Olivier Giroud took his place in the starting lineup for France.
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 24 trophies, including five UEFA Champions League championships, two Copa del Reys, and four La Liga championships.
Born in Lyon to parents from Algeria, Benzema started his professional career in 2005 with Olympique Lyonnais, where he intermittently helped the team achieve three Ligue 1 championships.
He concluded the season as the league’s leading goalscorer, winning his fourth league championship and his first Cup de France, and was named the league’s Player of the Year and a member of the Team of the Year in 2008.
When Benzema transferred to Real Madrid in 2009 for €35 million, it set a new French record for a football transfer.
After finding it difficult to establish himself in his first season, he eventually established a steady goalscoring rate with the team. In particular, he was a key member of the highly regarded BBC trio, along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, who were crucial to four Champions League victories from 2014 to 2018.
Why Did Benzema Miss The 2022 FIFA World Cup?
On the day of the competition, Benzema’s participation in the Qatar 2022 finals was ruled out due to a thigh injury he sustained during a France training session.
Benzema made his international debut in March 2007 against Austria and went on to score 37 goals in 97 games for France. However, Benzema’s international career was characterized by a protracted absence.
In spite of his efforts to demonstrate his fitness, he appeared to sustain an injury again during his first full training session with Didier Deschamps’ team.
After having an MRI at a hospital in Doha, it was determined that Benzema would need three weeks to heal, which caused him to leave the France team and not come back.
Deschamps stated at the time that: “I’m extremely sorry for Karim who had made this World Cup a major objective.”
Karim Benzema was compelled by this to announce his international football retirement.
He did it when France was leaving Qatar after losing an incredible final to Argentina, 4-2 on penalties following a 3-3 deadlock.
In response to rumors that he might rejoin the France team two days before the final, Benzema wrote a mysterious comment on Instagram that simply said, “That doesn’t interest me.”
