Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, sparked widespread controversy in international and French sports circles after he openly welcomed the recent statements made by French star Karim Benzema, striker for Saudi club Al-Ittihad, in which he expressed his readiness to return to represent his country's national team again.
In an exclusive interview with the widely circulated French newspaper L'Equipe, Diallo described Benzema's desire as "very positive," stressing that the mere fact that a player of Benzema's stature and value, a former Ballon d'Or winner, is considering returning to wear the "Les Bleus" jersey reflects the prestigious status and great appeal that the French national team currently enjoys, having reached the World Cup final in the last two editions.
The final decision rests with Deschamps
Despite the warm welcome from the highest levels of the French Football Federation, Diallo was keen to clarify the technical aspects of the situation. He praised the abilities of "the government," as his fans affectionately call him, but emphasized unequivocally that the decision to call up players rests solely and exclusively with the national team's head coach, Didier Deschamps. This clarification comes against the backdrop of the complex history of the relationship between Benzema and Deschamps, particularly after the events surrounding the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where Benzema left the training camp due to injury and subsequently announced his international retirement amidst media controversy.
His outstanding performance with Al-Ittihad and his dream of the 2026 World Cup
This comes at a time when Karim Benzema, 37, is enjoying a brilliant spell with his club Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Professional League. He is delivering high-level performances reminiscent of his great form with Real Madrid, having scored 11 goals in 12 appearances this season, making him a formidable force among French strikers worldwide.
Diallo indicated that the ambition to participate in the 2026 World Cup is a legitimate right for any player, saying, "The dream of appearing in the 2026 World Cup remains alive for Karim Benzema, just as it is for any star who seeks to leave his mark on the world's biggest football event." These statements open the door to speculation about whether Deschamps will overcome past disagreements to benefit from Benzema's vast experience, or whether he will continue to rely on the new generation led by Kylian Mbappé, Marcus Thuram, and Kolo Moine.
Historical context and importance of the event
These statements gain significance from Benzema's stature in French football, where he is considered one of the country's all-time top scorers. His return to the national team at Euro 2020 after an absence of nearly six years was a major global event, during which he contributed to France's victory in the UEFA Nations League. Now, with the upcoming international fixtures approaching, the question remains: Will we witness a new and final chapter between Benzema and his national team, or has the "Les Bleus" chapter closed forever for the Al-Ittihad star?
