Didier Deschamps, France’s coach, has said that Karim Benzema is “paying the price” for playing too much in previous years, as evidenced by his spate of injuries this season. Nonetheless, the Real Madrid forward is expected to be ready for France’s opening World Cup match.
Benzema’s lengthy hiatus from international duty following a scandal in 2015 meant that he wasn’t a part of the France team that won the 2018 World Cup.
However, Deschamps called him back to the national team in preparation for Euro 2020, and he went on to have the best season of his career with Real, winning La Liga, the Champions League, and the Ballon d’Or.
As a result of muscle injuries and weariness, Benzema has only played seven times in La Liga this season, and he has failed to score in any of Los Blancos’ four Champions League group stage matches.
“He is aware that this World Cup represents a watershed event in his life. Like the rest of the team, “he will do everything to be ready on November 22,” Deschamps told TF1.
Benzema played too much over thperiodtime period, and he’s starting to feel the effects of it with some minor ailments now. The World Cup, however, is something he recognizes as being crucial.
Deschamps also refuted claims that Benzema has been resting up for the French World Cup team by sitting out for Real Madrid recently.
Benzema wasn’t unwilling to play for Real Madrid, but he lacked the necessary experience. “But I’m confident he’ll be ready for the World Cup,” the coach said.
Despite a six-year international drought, Benzema is playing in his sixth major competition in this year’s World Cup. A fellow Real player, Eduardo Camavinga, has been included in Deschamps’ squad and will be participating in his first senior competition.
The 20-year-old midfielder, who debuted with France at the age of 17 in 2020, said he didn’t find out he was selected until it was widely reported.
To paraphrase what Camavinga told RMC, “I didn’t know anything in the prior hours; nothing until the announcement of the list.” My family and I were together when I found out. A mild anxiety began to gnaw at me as the time drew near.
To paraphrase, “I was talking to [Aurelien] Tchouameni on the phone, and then Benzema complimented me.”
