MX23RW : Saturday, April 27 04:56:22| >> :120:31656:31656:

Karim Benzema questions prolonged snub from France national side

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema says that he needs answers from France boss Didier Deschamps over why he continues to be left out of the squad.

France outcast Karim Benzema has admitted that he is unsure exactly why he is still being overlooked for national team duty.

The Real Madrid ace has not featured for Les Bleus since October 2015, missing his country's last 22 games since bagging a brace against Armenia.

Benzema was initially overlooked due to a suspension given to him by the French Football Federation for an off-the-field matter regarding teammate Mathieu Valbuena, but he has since been given the green light to be selected as part of boss Didier Deschamps's squad.

After again being left out for the World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg on Saturday, Benzema has now called for a full explanation behind Deschamps's reasoning.

"What I would like is to at least have a discussion with the coach, that he tells me what he thinks. I have to know," he told RMC

"The last time I spoke to the coach on the phone, it was well before the Euros. He told me, 'Karim, I'm going to tell you something you're not going to like. I'm not going to pick you.' At the time, I was very disappointed, I didn't need explanations.

"We haven't had contact since. But today, having taken a step back, I would like him to explain to me why he doesn't pick me and why it continues. I ask myself that question every day."

Benzema has 14 goals in 34 appearances for club side Madrid this season, the last of which came in the 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao prior to the international break.

ID:294504: cacheID:294504:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2629:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
France's forward Karim Benzema after an own goal during a Group E football match between France and Honduras at the Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 15, 2014
Read Next:
France boss Deschamps hints at Benzema return
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1pm
Bublik
Carballes Baena
10am
Auger-Aliassime
Mannarino
10am
Bautista Agut
Khachanov
10am
Cachin
Tiafoe
10am
De Minaur
Nadal
10am
Dimitrov
Mensik
10am
Jarry
Cobolli
10am
Kecmanovic
Ruud
10am
Kotov
Thompson
10am
Lehecka
Medjedovic
10am
Machac
Shelton
10am
Medvedev
Arnaldi
10am
Monteiro
Tsitsipas
10am
Norrie
Fonseca
10am
Purcell
Korda
10am
Sinner
Sonego
10am
Azarenka
Sorribes Tormo
10am
Annie Fernandez
Jabeur
10am
Gauff
Yastremska
10am
Haddad Maia
Navarro
10am
Keys
Samsonova
10am
Ostapenko
Lourdes Carle
10am
Stephens
Sakkari
10am
Swiatek
Cirstea
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid33266171224984
2Barcelona32217464372770
3GironaGirona32215667402768
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad331312846351151
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
10Getafe32913103844-640
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas32107153039-937
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!