Zidane Welcomes The News Of Benzema's Opportunity To Return To The French National Team

JAKARTA - Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said he was happy with the news that Karim Benzema had the opportunity to return to defend the French national team.

Benzema has not played for Les Bleus since November 2015, when he made his 81st appearance.

The 33-year-old forward has not been called up since then because he has to stand trial for blackmail related to a sex tape involving former France teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

As part of the case, Benzema is accused of trying to extort money from the Olympiacos player ahead of a friendly against Armenia five years ago.

Michel Moulin, one of the candidates running against French Football Federation (FFF) incumbent president Noel Le Graet, has promised that he will seek to bring Benzema back to the French national team.

Zidane fully supports the effort despite Benzema's off-field problems and looks forward to his player returning to his country.

"Benzema being able to return to the French national team is good news," he told a conference ahead of the Spanish Supercopa match against Athletic Bilbao, quoted by Antara from Goal on Thursday, January 14.

This is not the first time Zidane has supported his compatriot in his return to the French national team.

"Benzema has always wanted to play for France. But to be honest, I don't know the full situation in the team, or what is going on there," Zidane said as reported by the US in November 2019.

"But from a football game point of view, it is one of the best options that France has," the 47-year-old tactician added.