The question of whether Karim Benzema would wear the France jersey again under Didier Deschamps’ leadership seemed to have been settled long ago. Yet, with just a few months to go before the 2026 World Cup kicks off, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner has opened the door to an unlikely return to Les Bleus.
“If I’m called up to the national team, I’ll come and play football,” the 37-year-old striker said in an interview with L’Équipe.
Benzema, who has not been called up since the 2022 World Cup, which he was unable to participate in due to injury, does not seem to have given up on the national team. Even though he had some issues with his coach. A period he doesn’t want to dwell on, though.
“I’m not here to talk about that stuff. And I’m not here to revisit it… That’s it, it’s over,’ he wanted to make clear. ‘Are we going to talk about this for the next thirty years? I’m not here to fuel the controversy any further. It’s in the past for me. Let’s move on.”
Could that “moving on” be the World Cup in the United States? Perhaps.
“I am a football player. So I play football. When they call me, I come and play. I have goals in my head. I love football and I love winning. I love trophies. That’s what matters most to me. Right now, I’m with my club. If they call me up to the national team, I’ll come and play football. And that’s it.”
