It is a question unearthed regularly, the fault of its high level performances at Real Madrid.
Karim Benzema has not worn the France team jersey since October 8, 2015, mainly for extra-sporting reasons.
Coach since 2012, Didier Deschamps has always brushed off the idea of Benzema's comeback in blue.
This absence, Zinédine Zidane, world champion in 1998 with Deschamps and coach of Benzema at Real, "does not understand", he again lamented last weekend.
And for good reason: Benzema has scored 23 goals in 32 matches this season, including 8 in the last 6 meetings, in addition to exemplary leadership and a valuable role in the game. “I'm not in the best position to speak of Karim in selection or not ”, responded, embarrassed, Raphaël Varane Monday in a press conference, while listing the qualities of the one he has been working with at Real since 2011. But for our readers, it is clear: at 33 years old , Karim Benzema belongs to the past of the France team.
Benzema's top 5 goals in the Champions League
Out of more than 30,000 voters to whom we asked if “in view of his recent performances, should Karim Benzema be called to the Blues?”, 55% of them answered “No”.
“Let's not change a team that is doing well,” comments one Internet user.
It is true that, without Benzema, France reached the final of Euro 2016 and won the 2018 World Cup. Routes that have stifled the debate on the former Lyonnais.
“Benzema is a great player,” said another Internet user.
Can he return to the France team?
Not before he is cleared by justice in the sextape case. "
Indeed, the sidelining of Benzema was explained, in 2015, by suspicion of "complicity in attempted blackmail" in the famous "case of the sextape" which concerned his teammate, Mathieu Valbuena.
Enough to open a vast question: what place should be given to the image that the France team and its players convey?
“Sporting side, nothing to complain about, recognizes one of our readers about Benzema.
On the moral side, it's a whole different thing. "
Our survey, accessible below, is still open.
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