Mueez Ajao
I want a trophy – Benzema pushing for gold after long France expulsion
– Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema said he’s targeting a trophy with France after he was recalled to their provisional Euro 2020 squad following a controversial six-year international expulsion.
– The prolific star, suspended by Les Bleus since 2015 over his alleged role in a blackmail plot, missed out on France’s 2018 World Cup win and their run to the Euro 2016 final.
– The 33 year old, told L’Equipe he was proud of his call-up, which followed talks with France coach Didier Deschamps earlier this month.
– “I want to win a trophy with the French team, and hoped to bring a little bit extra to the World Cup-winners”.
– Benzema, who has 27 goals in 81 international appearances, was last week named as this season’s best French foreign-based player by the country’s players’ association.
– He top-scored for Real Madrid with 29 goals this term, passing 20 league goals in all three seasons since Cristiano Ronaldo left for Juventus in 2018.
– Benzema has repeatedly criticised Deschamps and the French Football Federation for being dropped, citing racism as a factor in his dropping from the Euro 2016 squad.
– But he said those differences were in the past after his conversation with the coach.
– “We said many things. Things that we needed to say for a long time. It was a good explanation, with important words,” He said.
– “I’m not coming to the French team to overshadow anyone or to take anyone’s place. I am here to bring what I know.” He added.
– France kick off their Euro 2020 campaign against three-time winners Germany in Munich on June 15.
