Karim Benzema
France boss Didier Deschamps has sensationally included Karim Benzema in his Euro 2020 squad following six years in international wilderness.
The Real Madrid striker’s inclusion in France’s 26-man Euros squad – which L’Equipe earlier on Tuesday suggested could be in the pipeline – ahead of friendlies against Wales and Bulgaria at the beginning of June, has grabbed all the headlines following years in exile.
Benzema has been joined in France’s squad by Premier League stars Paul Pogba, Hugo Lloris, Kurt Zouma, N’Golo Kante, Olivier Giroud, Lucas Digne and Moussa Sissoko – while the usual suspects Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann, Raphael Varane and Presnel Kimpembe have also been included.
After his call-up, Benzema wrote on Twitter: “So proud of my return to the French team and of the trust placed in me. Thank you to my family, my friends, my club, to you… and to all those who have always supported me and given me strength every day.”
The experienced striker had been cast aside by manager Deschamps since 2015 following his alleged role in the sex-tape blackmail of former France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.
Benzema is suspected of encouraging Valbuena to co-operate with blackmailers, who threatened to release an intimate video in which he featured.
Investigators who charged Benzema believe he was approached by a childhood friend to act as an intermediary and convince Valbuena to deal directly with the blackmailers. Instead, Valbuena informed the police.
When the story broke, Benzema faced a deluge of criticism and then-Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the former Lyon player had ‘no place’ in the national team. He had been unable to repair relations and return for his country until now.
It is understood that Benzema will go on trial from Wednesday, October 20 to Friday, October 22 this year. He denies any wrongdoing and four other people will also stand trial in the case.