Karim Benzema has not played for France since 2016, prior to Euro 2016, but there are several reports circulating that the Real Madrid striker will be included in Didier Deschamps‘ squad for this summer’s European Championship.
The 33-year-old has been punished by Deschamps for his role in the Mathieu Valbuena saga, while Benzema‘s comments on the France boss when speaking to MARCA did little to calm the tensions between the pair.
Yet, according to L’Equipe and Le Parisien, and confirmed by MARCA, Deschamps has been thinking about the situation for some time and is ready to include Benzema in the squad for Euro 2020, one day after the striker was named the best French player playing outside of France.
Benzema closing in on France return
Benzema has taken his game to another level since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, which has led to increasing calls that he should be back playing with Les Bleus. Now, everything seems to indicate that he will be included in France‘s squad for the European Championship.
The fact that the squad size has been increased from 23 players to 26 makes it easier for Deschamps to call up Benzema, as the France coach did not want to break up the squad that won the World Cup in 2018.
French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet has done a lot to bring Benzema back, despite their ups and downs over the last six years.
Being able to call upon Benzema, who is arguably at the peak of his powers, at a time when the French national team have been struggling is something that neither Le Graet nor Deschamps have been able to ignore.
