The query got here some 9 minutes into the press convention after France had made their second successive World Cup ultimate. “There’s a report at the moment that mentioned Karim Benzema may come again to Qatar…Is there any chance you’d use him for a couple of minutes,” Didier Deschamps was requested deep contained in the Al Bayt Stadium . “I’m not going to dignify that with a response. Subsequent query, please,” he mentioned.
Forward of the ultimate, the query was tweaked. Was Deschamps “stunned” that Benzema had performed a pleasant and would he “come right here and help the group”? Sergio Aguero’s exuberance from the stands and within the Argentina altering room was nonetheless over 36 hours away however the query appeared legitimate as a result of Benzema had been in Qatar until a thigh damage dominated him out in the future earlier than the World Cup started. Adopting the even tone he had after the 2-0 win towards Morocco, Deschamps mentioned: “It’s not my job to ask present and former gamers right here.”
In the future after the ultimate, Benzema retired from worldwide soccer. “I wrote my story and ours is ending,” he mentioned on Twitter after 97 video games and 37 targets in a profession blighted by a close to six-year absence from the nationwide staff due to a blackmailing scandal. Since returning to the nationwide staff in 2021, Benzema had scored 10 targets in 16 video games. A Nations League title is all he has to indicate for Le Bleus.
Deschamps didn’t substitute Benzema, or Lucas Hernandez who as injured of their first sport towards Australia, however didn’t need him both.
It’s the reverse at Actual Madrid for whom on Thursday, Benzema scored his seventh objective in seven video games in all competitions because the World Cup. It was his 336th objective in 624 video games for the membership. Solely Cristiano Ronaldo (451) has extra. Together with 5 Champions League trophies, Benzema has gained 23 competitions for Actual and at 35, he’s removed from finished.
On both aspect of Benzema’s objective have been strikes from Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr. They helped Actual beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 within the Copa del Rey quarter-final at Santiago Bernabeu stadium. Actual trailing until the 79th minute meant it was rather a lot nearer than the scoreline suggests – Antoine Griezmann and Memphis have been denied by Actual goalie, and former Atletico participant, Thibaut Courtois and Griezmann additionally shot over from contained in the penalty space– no less than until Stefan Savic’s 99th minute purple card for a second reserving.
Alvaro Morata, a former Actual participant, had put the visiting staff in entrance after an acrimonious build-up to the Madrid derby with an effigy of Vinicius Jr being slung from a bridge with an accompanying banner, “Madrid hates Actual.” This was after Benzema had discovered Vinicius Jr however the Brazilian couldn’t shoot. When Vinicius Jr returned the praise, Benzema’s shot was saved out by goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Rodrygo’s very good solo effort going previous three gamers fetched the equaliser earlier than Benzema struck at Oblak’s close to put up within the 103rd minute after Vinicius Jr miskicked Marco Asensio’s cross. Vinicius Jr’s good placement within the 121st minute ultimately made it a very good night for the boys in white.
“At the moment, we had a really tough sport however with the character and the gamers that we have now, we have been capable of flip it round,” Benzema advised the Spanish tv channel Teledeporte. “Struggling shouldn’t be good – we have now to attain the targets earlier.”
Benzema had a stellar season in 2021-22 serving to Actual win La Liga and the Champions League with 44 targets in 46 video games (or 3919 minutes, based on transfermarkt.com) and 15 assists. He was the highest scorer in La Liga with 27 targets. It was the fourth time in as many seasons that Benzema had notched up over 20 targets. And he was the highest scorer within the Champions League the place he had 15 targets together with two knockout spherical hattricks towards Paris St-Germain and Chelsea.
“There’s no drawback saying we rely on Benzema…It’s a actuality and a very good factor. I’m pleased to rely upon a participant like him,” Actual Madrid supervisor Carlo Ancelotti had mentioned of the present Ballon d’Or winner. One of the best recommendation Rodrygo mentioned he acquired final time period was to cross the ball to Benzema. It got here from the Frenchman himself.
Benzema understands the sport like few forwards do, an unnamed La Liga supervisor was quoted as saying in The Guardian final yr. He can mix and create overloads, is technically adept, finishes nicely and makes teammates higher, the supervisor mentioned.
This time period, regardless of being out for 63 days because of accidents (transfermarkt.com), he has 13 targets and one help in 19 video games. Benzema has missed seven video games in La Liga however with 9 targets (three penalties) in 10 video games is third behind Robert Lewandowski (13) and Joselu (10). He may assist Actual (41 factors) lengthen their three-point lead over third-placed Actual Sociedad on Sunday and preserve the warmth on leaders Barcelona (44 factors).
Benzema is out of contract in summer season together with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Asensio and Dani Ceballos, who helped flip the sport round on Thursday. It will likely be nothing in need of a shock if Actual don’t renew it for a yr like they do for gamers over 30 from when Bernabeu was president (1943-78). Perhaps they might even break custom for his or her skipper.