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France legend Zinedine Zidane backs under-fire Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema to continue playing for the French National team despite investigations over his alleged involvement in the blackmail scandal involving Mathieu Valbuena. The former World cup winner says that the French Football Federation (FFF) should not think of excluding him from playing the Euro 2016 hosted by France, Marca reported.
THE FFF are scheduled to take a decision on Thursday, on whether Benzema will take any part in the European championships to be held in June next summer.
“We’ll wait until Thursday,” the Castilla boss and former Les Bleus star told Marca.
“I hope for France’s and his sake that he’s not suspended from the [national] team. He’s a very important player for the team, strictly speaking from a sporting perspective,” Zidane said.
Benzema who has endured a torrid start to the season due to his injury woes together with the black cloud that surrounds his alleged role in attempting to blackmail Valbuena has been heavily attacked by the French media. This has subsequently left his place in the national team at risk with the European championships fast approaching.
Zidane who has been with Benzema throughout his Real Madrid career hopes that his personal problems don’t come in the way of his football.
“I hope that his personal issues get fixed” he concluded, who is an ardent admirer of Benzema’s qualities.
Media has tried to destroy my image: Benzema
Benzema, however, remarked that ‘he is not afraid’ of the media and he has no problems with Valbuena. He also made his intentions of representing France at the Euros 2016 very clear.
“It’s my goal to play in the European Championship with France. I have always fought to get here and will continue doing so. It’s my desire [to represent France], and France will need both of us [referring to Valbuena]. I have no grudge with him. They [The media] have tried to destroy my image, but nothing’s happened. I’ll always be the same until the end” he told TF1.
“There are many things in life to be afraid of, but the Euros are something big and I dream of playing in it. I’m not afraid and I hope everything is resolved quickly so I can play in this competition. I’ve been with the team for a long time and now I want to win a trophy with my country.”
“I wouldn’t have made 81 appearances for the French team if I wasn’t comfortable with them. I talk a lot with [France Coach Didier Deschamps]. He is with me and supports me,” he concluded.
Benzema let his football do the talking after scoring a brace in Real Madrid’s comprehensive victory against Getafe over the weekend. His fate at the Euro’s, however, rest in the hands of the French Football Federation.
