Real Madrid president comes to Karim Benzema’s defense
Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is absolutely the best option at the No. 9 position for the French national team, but coach Didier Deschamps has refused to give the 33-year-old any chance to play for his country.
Zinedine Zidane has referred to Benzema, who is about to finish the season as Real’s leading goal-scorer and assist-provider once again, as the best French striker ever. Considering Zidane is one of the greatest players to ever step foot onto the pitch for the French national team, this praise is not to be taken lightly at all.
And now, Benzema’s president, Florentino Perez, has come to his defense regarding the experienced forward’s banishment from the French national team.
In an interview with Europe 1, via Goal.com’s Robin Bairner, Perez called Benzema’s situation with France a “huge mess” and that “no one can understand” why Benzema does not play at all for the team.
Karim Benzema is a legend for Real Madrid, but he should have been one for France, too
He then gave Benzema words of support as a character, stating he is “very proud” of the striker. Perez brought up two points: the respect Benz has from his teammates and the fact that the player has never been sent off.
In the piece for Goal.com, Bairner adds something important that a lot of football fans may not realize. A key reason for Benz’s omission from the national team over the years is that he feels that Deschamps does not call Benzema up in order to appease a racist segment of the country who do not want to see him represent the country. Benzema’s parents were born in Algeria.
That is a wrinkle to consider, and Deschamps himself hinted that comments from people other than Benzema on this issue have prevented him from forgetting the situation and playing Benzema. And to be honest, that seems unfair to both Benzema and the national team as a whole, which is not fielding its best possible XI without the No. 9.
dark. Next. It's time to ask the tough questions about Florentino Perez
Nevertheless, while it is a shame that this messy situation exists, Benzema continues to shine for Real Madrid and keeps adding to his legacy with the world’s most prestigious club each year. Despite not having much help around him, Benzema has 10 goals and five assists in La Liga this season and remains one of the world’s best all-around center-forwards.