JAKARTA - Karim Benzema chose not to fulfill the invitation given by French President Emmanuel Macron. The President previously invited Benzema to watch the 2022 World Cup final.
Macron invited a number of French players to support Didier Deschamps' team against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, Sunday, December 18.
Apart from Benzema, Macron also invited Presnel Kimpembe, Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante who were absent from the 2022 World Cup due to injury.
However, LEquipe reported that Benzema refused the invitation. Through his agent, Karim Djaziri explained that Benzema asked to be left alone first.
"I remind some people that tomorrow (today) France is playing the World Cup final, you have to be behind all the players who will be on the pitch to give us a third star and leave Karim Benzema alone," Djaziri was quoted as saying by LEquipe.
Apart from Benzema, former French coach Laurent Blanc and Michel Platini who previously received an invitation also confirmed that they would not fulfill Macron's invitation for different reasons.
Benzema is in the spotlight this week because he is considered to have the opportunity to play in the 2022 World Cup final as he recovers from a thigh injury suffered a few days before the tournament begins.
But after recovering, French coach Didier Deschamps refused to recall the 34-year-old striker. The refusal reportedly disappointed Benzema.
Despite leaving Qatar, Benzema's name remains in the Les Bleus squad because it was not crossed out. Because of that, Benzema still had the opportunity to play in the 2022 World Cup final and get a medal if France won.
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