France: Zinedine Zidane rules out Karim Benzema returning to Les Bleus

His last match for France was in June 2022

Europe Today at 13:23

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France: Zinedine Zidane rules out Karim Benzema returning to Les Bleus

On Friday, September 18, Zinedine Zidane ruled out the possibility of Karim Benzema returning to the France national team. For his first squad announcement as manager, the new leader of Les Bleus is prioritising youth, while paying tribute to the former Real Madrid striker’s career.

Asked about a possible call-up for Karim Benzema, Zidane recalled the relationship he had built with the striker during their years at Real Madrid.

“I spent extraordinary years with him in Madrid. I adore him. But, as with N’Golo, I need to see younger players. That takes nothing away from his career with the France national team and at club level.”

The manager has therefore left Benzema out of this squad and also mentioned N’Golo Kanté in his response. At 38, the former Ballon d’Or winner is currently without a club after terminating his contract with Al-Hilal at the end of August.

97 caps and 37 goals for Les Bleus

Karim Benzema made 97 appearances for the France national team and scored 37 goals. He ranks among the leading scorers in the history of Les Bleus. His return to the national team in 2021 marked the end of more than five years away. A few months later, the striker helped France win the Nations League. He scored against Belgium in the semi-final, then netted the equaliser against Spain in the final, which Les Bleus won 2-1.

Benzema subsequently played four Nations League matches in June 2022. He notably scored against Denmark on June 3 at the Stade de France. His last appearance for the France national team came on June 13, 2022, against Croatia.

💬 Zinédine Zidane « Karim Benzema, je l’adore, je suis admiratif de sa carrière mais aujourd’hui je veux voir des joueurs plus jeunes. Cela n'enlève rien à sa carrière » pic.twitter.com/MBehgC8mC1
— L'Équipe (@lequipe) September 18, 2026

A few months later, he was due to take part in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but an injury forced him to withdraw before the start of the tournament. He left the France camp after initially being included in the squad.

With this first squad announcement, Zidane has therefore chosen not to recall Benzema and to focus on assessing a new generation. Nevertheless, his tribute to the former France international’s career is clear.