OFFICIAL: Benzema returns to French national team

It’s official. France coach Didier Deschamps has announced the 26 players who will defend their country in the upcoming 2021 UEFA Euro and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema will be there after a five-year absence from the squad. Reports early this Tuesday in the French media suggested that Benzema could be included and they were accurate.

Benzema played his last match for France back in 2015 and then spent the last five years out of the squad because of the alleged blackmail scandal to Mathieu Valbuena.

Now, he will form a tremendously talented offensive line with Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe, making France one of the clear favorites to conquer the 2021 Euro.

Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane was also included, while left-back Ferland Mendy didn’t make the squad list and will have to keep performing at a high level if he wants to play for France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

While Benzema’s presence in the European tournament could ultimately hurt Real Madrid as he won’t get as much time to rest as the club would like, the attacker clearly deserves this chance to play for his country.