Algeria Manager says not interested in Karim Benzema after striker’s outburst against France wherein he demanded them to allow him to play for another nation.
Karim Benzema has not represented France since 2015. The forward has not been out of the side since 2015. The Blues have not missed him though and have since reached the Euro 2016 final and won the 2018 World Cup.
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In recent times, Karim Benzema has made a great case for himself through his performances with Real Madrid. However, French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet closed the doors on a possible comeback by saying that his adventure with France was over.
‘Karim Benzema is a very good player, I have never doubted his qualities,’ he said. ‘On the contrary, he shows Real Madrid that he is one of the best players around. But his adventure with the French National team is over.’
Benzema retaliated by threatening to switch national allegiances. Despite FIFA rules disallowing players to turn out for other countries if they’ve represented another in a senior match. With 81 appearances for France, Benzema was not eligible for swapping countries.
This did not stop the rumours though. Many theorised if he could represent Algeria. Benzema is of Algerian descent after all. Although it seems that even if he were eligible to play for Algeria he would not get selected.
Algeria Manager says not interested in Karim Benzema after striker’s outburst against France
Algeria Manager Djamel Belmadi decided to stop any potential rumours dead in their tracks.
‘I have (Baghdad) Bounedjah, Islam (Slimani), (Andy) Delort, (Hillal) Soudani. I’m very happy with the players I have,’ said Djamel Belmadi, according to Algerian football website DZFoot.
The fact that Algeria won the African Cup of Nations this year without Benzema’s presence is proof that Djamel Belmadi isn’t making tall claims.
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