Karim Benzema leaves door open for shock France return | OneFootball

Karim Benzema (37) retired from international football back in December 2022, after he pulled out of France’s FIFA World Cup squad due to fitness issues. 

It is no secret that the former Real Madrid forward had a strained relationship with current France manager Didier Deschamps. But despite that, Benzema still played 97 times for Les Bleus, scoring 37 goals in that time. 

Deschamps will lead France for the final time at this summer’s World Cup, after which he will depart, paving the way for Zinédine Zidane to be named Les Bleus’ new manager. Zidane, out of management since leaving Real Madrid, is the hot favourite to take the role.

And should he take the role, it could pave the way for an improbable Benzema return, as the striker told AS. “Zizou has everything to become [France] manager. He has proved that at Real Madrid,” began the forward, who now plays his football in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ittihad. 

Asked whether Zidane’s nomination could tempt him to revoke his international retirement, Benzema replied, “The France national team seems a bit far away, but you never know. I am focusing on the present.”

This season, the former Real Madrid man has five goals in nine appearances in all competitions. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle