Benzema called up to the French National Team by Didier Deschamps for Euro 2020

Karim Benzema has been called up to the Les Bleus for the first time in over five years ahead of the upcoming European Championships.

The French National Team manager Didier Deschamps said:

“We met, we spoke at length, I then thought very hard and came to make this decision.
I needed this chat, he needed this chat. As national team boss, I have always looked beyond my personal case. My responsibility is important, but it is bigger than me.”

Benzema’s international career seemed to be over in 2015 when the striker was accused of playing a role in the blackmailing and sex tape scandal of former teammate, Mathieu Valbuena.

Deschamps left Benzema out of his Euro 2016 squad which led the striker to lash out at his manager, claiming the 52-year-old “bowed to the pressure of a racist part of France.” The relationship between the player and manager was at an all-time low.

Despite France reaching the finals at that Euro’s and winning the 2018 World Cup, fans still wanted to see Benzema in a French shirt one last time as they begged the manager to forgive him.

One French player who may not be too pleased with Benzema’s inclusion is Olivier Giroud. In March 2020, Benzema said “you don’t compare Formula 1 with go-karting, and I am being nice” in response to a comparison to the towering forward. Giroud is close to breaking Thierry Henry’s record as France’s all-time top goal-scorer but his chances could now be hindered.

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The 33-year-old has been brilliant for Real Madrid in the past three seasons and has stepped up for the club since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.

He has scored 65 league goals in his last three campaigns and helped Los Blancos win the 2019/20 title. Only Lionel Messi has more direct goals and assists in La Liga this season than Benzema and he has scored six times in the Champions League this season.

France was drawn into the ‘Group of Death’ as current champions Portugal and 2014 World Cup winners Germany were also put in Group F, along with Hungary. The presence and potential goal contributions of Benzema could be vital to breaking down defences featuring the likes of Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, Niklas Sule, and Willi Orban.

His last appearance for the national team was in October 2015, where he scored twice against Armenia in a French team that featured Lassana Diarra and Patrice Evra. It has been reported that Benzema will wear the number 19 shirt for the tournament as France go into the tournament as favourites.

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