Evidence of Karim Benzema’s bust-up with France boss Didier Deschamps has been published by the striker’s agent Karim Djaziri as the feud between player and manager continues to build.
The Real Madrid star was sent home on the eve of the World Cup after picking up a knock with Deschamps deciding against picking a replacement. However, reports broke that the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner could have returned to the squad for the final.
The striker even played in a friendly for Real Madrid after recovering from his injury, but a huge fallout with Deschamps saw Benzema stay away from the France squad as they prepared for the final against Argentina.
Soon after, the 35-year-old announced his retirement from international football in a heartfelt statement, while Benzema’s agent Djaziri has since taken to Twitter to post evidence his client could have returned for France as early as the first knockout stage.
He posted a video of tests on Frenchman after his injury, and captioned the post: “I put that there but before that I consulted 3 specialists who confirm the diagnosis that Benzema could have been fit from the last 16 to at least be on the bench! Why did you ask him to leave so quickly?”
Reports from Spanish outlet Marca had stated Benzema would need three weeks to recover from his injury, suffered on November 19. It meant France’s last-16 clash against on December 4 could have been a potential return date.
Instead, the striker was on holiday on the island of Reunion, where he was reportedly in perfect condition. It was the same day Deschamps also ruled him out of returning to Qatar with the squad.
But it appears the France team have largely sided with Deschamps over the issue, including Antoine Griezmann who had been annoyed that much of the media spotlight had been taken up by Benzema and his fallout with the manager.
The Atletico Madrid star even reportedly set up a meeting with the French Football Federation over concerns he had not garnered enough attention compared to his Real Madrid foe.
And since the World Cup has ended, the soap opera has not finished yet, with Benzema unfollowing almost all of his former French team-mates on Instagram.
All except Bernabeu team-mates Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni, as well as Kylian Mbappe, Raphael Varane and Marcus Thuram, have all been unfollowed.
“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,” Benzema wrote on Instagram last week when announcing his international retirement.
However, another twist to the tale awaits as Zinedine Zidane is waiting in the wings to take over Les Bleus should Deschamps stand down. That would likely see Benzema come out of retirement as he and Zidane remain close due to their time together at Real Madrid.
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