Al-Ittihad centre-forward Karim Benzema (37) has revealed he would be open to a return to the French national team to play the 2026 World Cup. In a wide-ranging interview with L’Equipe, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner said that every football player would be keen to feature in a World Cup. Given his troubled history with Les Bleus, Benzema only played the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He was snubbed in 2010 by Raymond Domenech. In 2018, he was out of the picture completely due to the fallout of the sextape case involving him and Mathieu Valbuena.
He was called up to take part in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but he sustained an injury in his first training session before France’s tournament even began. Benzema then left France’s camp in rather unusual circumstances. He didn’t feature for France ever since, fueling the belief that he would never wear France’s jersey again, but Benzema never publicly announced his international retirement.
“But who doesn’t want to play in the World Cup? Everyone wants to play in it”, Benzema says. “I love football and competition, so if I say no to going to the French national and playing in the World Cup, I’d be a liar.“
Benzema even went as far as saying that he would welcome a return to Les Bleus in time for the World Cup. “I’m a football player, I play football. If I get the call, I’m going and I’ll play football. If I’m called up for the national team, I’ll go to play football, that’s it.”
Zucdeimou
0
Yeah yeah he wasn’t but he didn’t played all the games but was like old win for the team but zero shot on target lol. He even played 90 minutes without touching the ball 😀😀😀 but his position was instrumental for creating space for others to score
😂😂😂😂 zero goal as striker in 5 world cup matches
vokabmnpsy
1
Benzema, the grossly underrated player, not fuss nothing fanciful, just go about what he does best, saving clubs and country in vital matches, ostracised yet with ill feelings or throwing tantrums like many other spoilt brats, "chose and included, will gladly play,stay healthy , injury free and remain humble and grounded
vuaabdipu
3
France 🇫🇷 always needs a proper footballer in their roster
cukelrty
3
All players knows the value of WC and wants to win..cuz its above all trophies..And there is a guy who says its just 7,8 competition and don't want to win it..but plans to walk with trophy o his wedding...clown...
Cohabdensy
2
Mpappe would love it but Racist Deschamp won’t do it..
GaddafiJamal
0
lol I am 40 years so how old are you? Check it online the only player who played 90mins without touching the ball
I Don’t Have To Waste My Time On Titkok Memes 🤦♂️🙄
ImoukhuedeGeorge
0
Who Is This? How Old Are You? Jesus Christ, So Many Kids On Here 🤦♂️🤮
lol I am 40 years so how old are you? Check it online the only player who played 90mins without touching the ball
GaddafiJamal
0
Yeah yeah he wasn’t but he didn’t played all the games but was like old win for the team but zero shot on target lol. He even played 90 minutes without touching the ball 😀😀😀 but his position was instrumental for creating space for others to score
Who Is This? How Old Are You? Jesus Christ, So Many Kids On Here 🤦♂️🤮
ImoukhuedeGeorge
1
Oliver Wasn’t Backup, Are You Sleeping 🤣
Yeah yeah he wasn’t but he didn’t played all the games but was like old win for the team but zero shot on target lol. He even played 90 minutes without touching the ball 😀😀😀 but his position was instrumental for creating space for others to score
GaddafiJamal
0
The coach can bring him in as a backup striker just like in the days of Oliver Giroud when they won the world cup
Oliver Wasn’t Backup, Are You Sleeping 🤣
ImoukhuedeGeorge
2
The coach can bring him in as a backup striker just like in the days of Oliver Giroud when they won the world cup
Dekclmnu
1
You spent half your career out of the squad now you're expecting a call up.[Crylaugh]