Karim Benzema and the Blues, it’s an unfinished story, concluded abruptly in the Qatari night, on an injury with a rushed diagnosis, on the eve of the entry into contention of the French team in the 2022 World Cup. Banned in 2018, KB9 ultimately has barely played in more than one World Cup in his career. In 2014. However, the person concerned would not say no to one last dance.
“ It’s not unfinishedhe whispers about his international career. I did what I did. I tried, I was there. It didn’t happen, it is what it is. I didn’t play for the national team for six years (from October 2015 to June 2021 due to the Valbuena affair, editor’s note). I came back, I won the Nations League. We went to the Euro, I shone but we were eliminated (from the round of 16, by Switzerland). That’s life… »
So, Karim Benzema at the 2026 World Cup? “ Who doesn’t want to play in the World Cup? Everyone wants to play this competitionthe 2022 Ballon d’Or responds sincerely in a long interview given to L’Equipe. Afterwards, tell yourself: can I be taken on… As I am someone who loves football and competition, obviously, if you tell me to go to the French team to play in a World Cup and I tell you no, I am a liar. »
“I am not here to further fuel the controversy”
“ When they call me, I come, I play. I have goals in my head. I love football and I love winning. I like trophies. That’s what matters most to me. There, I am in my club. If I am called to the national team, I come to play football. And it stops there », insists the one who has not worn the rooster jersey since June 2022 and a Nations League match against Croatia.
There is therefore no question of potentially spoiling his last chance to play in the World Cup, and especially not because of his allegedly stormy relationship with national coach Didier Deschamps. “ I’m not here to talk about these things. And I’m not here to go over that again… That’s it, it’s over. Are we going to talk about this story for thirty years? I’m not here to further fuel the controversy. It’s in the past for me. We move on. »
