Why is Karim Benzema not playing for France? Reason for French striker’s absence in Uefa Euro 2024 football tournament

KARIM Benzema won everything in his club career, including the Ballon d’Or and five Champions League titles.

But this success has not been replicated for his national side — here we look at why the striker isn’t playing at Euro 2024.

AFP

France coach Didier Deschamps greeting Karim Benzema after he was substituted against Germany at Euro 2020 in Munich on June 15, 2021[/caption]

Why is Karim Benzema not playing for France?

Benzema made his France debut in 2007 and was a regular up until 2015.

But he was banned from playing for Les Bleus for his alleged role in blackmailing team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape scandal.

In November 2021, he was found guilty of complicity, sentenced to a one-year suspended jail term and fined 75,000 euros (£63,000) by a court in Versailles.

In the same year, the La Liga legend was named in France’s 26-man squad for the delayed European Championships.

And it paved the way for Benzema to return to the France team in June 2021 for the 3-0 win over Wales — going on to score four goals at the Euros.

The attacker played in subsequent Nations League and World Cup qualification matches.

But in November 2022 he was officially ruled out of the winter World Cup through injury.

Shortly after the final of the tournament, he announced his retirement from international football.

When did Karim Benzema retire from playing football?

Benzema announced his retirement from international football on December 19, 2022.

The former Real Madrid star made the cryptic reveal a day after France’s World Cup final loss to Lionel Messi’s Argentina.

Benzema was named in Didier Deschamps’ 26-man squad that looked to defend the World Cup in Qatar.

But a thigh injury ruled him out, although Deschamps never replaced the forward.

There were rumours that the striker was set to make a shock return to the French side in time for the final — having returned to Real Madrid training.

Deschamps dismissed these rumours angrily after being repeatedly asked about Benzema and where he’d be watching the final, saying: “Are you spreading the word among foreign journalists?

“If I don’t answer, you’ll say I’m p***ed off.

“Some players have been injured and Karim Benzema is one of them, and Lucas Hernandez got injured in the first game.

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Benzema warming up for Al Ittihad before the Fifa Club World Cup match against Al Ahly FC on December 15, 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia[/caption]

“From that point on, I have 24 players in my squad and they are the ones at my disposal, so I don’t think it is fair to those players to ask about players who aren’t here.

“It is not up to me to decide who comes to watch the game, former players or injured players, I focus on my squad and the players at my disposal. 

“We have lost three — Christopher Nkunku, Benzema and Hernandez. I lost them even though they were in the squad to begin with.

“So now I am focusing on my 24-man squad and they are the ones I will have at my disposal tomorrow.”

And Benzema also appeared to brutally rule himself out, posting on Instagram: “I don’t care.”

However, the prolific goalscorer did wish his nation luck on the final, which they lost on penalties.

Benzema’s future in the national side faced doubt after RMC Sport reported Benzema turned down president Emmanuel Macron’s invite to watch the game.

L’Equipe later added the player cut off all ties with the French squad after manager Deschamps refused to call him up.

What did Karim Benzema say about his retirement?

Following his retirement Benzema took to social media to set the record straight.

He tweeted: “I made the effort and the mistakes it took to be where I am today and I’m proud of it!

“I have written my story and ours is ending.”