The point of view of the French team at the end of the story between Benzema and the Blues
A day after Daniel Riolo’s revelations in the film “After Foot” behind the scenes of the Karim Benzema package during the World Cup, the entourage of the French team wanted to shed light on RMC once again.
It was one of the last great goals of his career. After winning the Ballon d’Or, Karim Benzema was eager to win the World Cup in Qatar. A flighty dream due to a thigh injury before entering the Blues run. On December 18, they reached the final after losing to Argentina in a penalty shootout. The next day, Benzema announced the end of his international career. The conclusion of a story that is buzzing to the end with a choice.
After a little more than a month of collecting cold and various elements, RMC Sport editor and journalist Daniel Riolo revealed on Wednesday behind the scenes of the Benzema package during the World Cup, criticizing the management of Didier Deschamps and the egos of some managers. . In response to these revelations, the entourage of the French team contacted After Foot to shed more light on this whole story. First with an update on what happened on November 19, the day Benzema made his withdrawal official after suffering an injury in training.
That evening, the striker of “Real” went to the “Aspetar” clinic in Doha, accompanied by the doctor of the French national team Frank Le Gall and two employees of the “Blues” security service. After that, it is decided not to keep it. On the side of the French team, it is explained that Benzema decided to leave Qatar as soon as possible to return to Madrid, and that his personal assistant in Doha had difficulty in finding him a private plane. Problem: this is not possible because private flights are prohibited from flying over Iraq and/or Ukraine at night.
Benzema is sent on the first scheduled flight the next morning. His personal assistant and Blues staff are part of the night for his departure, with his first safe arrival at Doha airport and another arrival in Madrid expected to be escorted by security.
“We weren’t going to wake up all the players to form a guard of honor for Benzema”
Therefore, the point of view of the French team is that the Federation did not release Benzema on his own and the plane ticket was paid for him. He adds that he could have stayed longer at the Blues’ base camp to greet his teammates, but it was his choice to join Madrid so soon. Before leaving, he would go to meet Blues security director Mohamed Sanhadji to ask him to greet the other players to ensure his full support.
A close friend of “Blues”: “We were not going to wake up all the players at 5 o’clock in the morning to arrange a guard of honor for Benzema.” Kim adds that in his haste, Benzema forgot eight pairs of cleats in Qatar… and his assistant had to ask the FFF to mail them back, which he did. Daniel Riolo explained it on Wednesday’s After: “When they leave Benzema and the France team doctor says: ‘it’s good, you’re injured, you’re going’ and we get him on a plane at 6 o’clock. It’s strange to say to a guy who’s been recalled to the France team: ‘You’re leaving at night.’ He left, so he kept quiet for the next few weeks.”
But what happened before the Benzema package was revealed? Those around the French team assure that it was the ex-Lyon who decided to step up their game on the day of his injury. He has currently not played since his Champions League debut on November 2 due to physical problems, and the World Cup opener against Australia (November 22) is fast approaching. The French team explains that since the onset of Benzema’s injury, there have been communication problems. “Real” would not give the Blues any medical documents.
And the diagnosis of “muscle fatigue” was not detailed by either the club or the player. In contrast, Manchester United are said to have fully co-operated with Raphael Varane, who was injured ahead of the World Cup, by providing all the necessary medical documents. And the defender has agreed to be accompanied by a member of the Blues medical team in his recovery program in Manchester and then Lille. For the French team, there is no doubt that the diagnosis made by the blues doctor regarding Benzema is correct.
For the Blues management, there was a monster about Benzema’s physical disabilities
We reiterate with RMC that Deschamps has no doubts when he announces his World Cup roster on November 9. He is thinking of playing with Benzema in the starting line-up. And those around the French team believe he can “easily” justify not calling him up because of the uncertainty surrounding his injury. Uncertainty also spread to Qatar. Again, it is reported that the recovery protocol is very clear for Varane when the Blues arrive in Qatar on November 16, but not for Benzema.
In their version of the facts brought to the RMC, the entourage of the French team went further, claiming that the Ballon d’Or initially refused to train and wanted to “control himself”. The selection leadership is in question, but this is one of the best players in the world. However, precautions have been taken. Marcus Thuram was called up three days ago. It is no coincidence that given Benzema’s situation, this choice is a safety in case of concern about the number 19. The management of the blues and blacks clearly think that there is a monster about the Madrid player.
One episode stands out: on November 12, Benzema is in his home country to present the Ballon d’Or in Lyon. Those around the French team claim to have called him to offer to send a member of the medical team for treatment. Also according to this version of the French team, Benzema never responded. Unlike Presnel Kimpembe, the Blues’ medical staff followed closely afterwards.
RMC and the Blues’ surroundings also shed light on what happened after Benzema’s return to Madrid. It was agreed that he would continue to treat himself. He went on vacation for a few days in Réunion, then returned to Madrid and resumed training with his club on December 10. Five days later, he played again in a friendly match with his club. Which leads the French team to say that he could have played in the World Cup quarter-final against England (Dec. 10) even if he was on the roster, which is unlikely, and this calendar confirms the diagnosis. it was true.
A response from the French team on managing egos
On Wednesday, Daniel Riolo also pointed the finger at Deschamps and his difficulties in “managing egos”. In response, on the side of the French team, we remember that at the beginning of the Blues rally, the coach made an ultra-positive speech about the Real player in Clairfontein. And in front of the FFF president, the sports minister and about fifty people, he confirmed that “it’s a big chance for France for Karim Benzema”.
Daniel Riolo also said that Benzema’s return to selection in June 2021 after a six-year absence has caused some tension with some of the team’s principals, such as Paul Pogba. Those around the French team claim that this Pogba-Benzema rivalry has no meaning because the Turinese did not participate in the World Cup. When it comes to managing egos, the French team also defends Deschamps, pointing out that he knows how to manage strong personalities and the progress of the tournament in Qatar has confirmed this. With him, the Blues played in the final of the second World Cup in a row.
FFF and Elysee also invited Benzema to the final game against Argentina. The Blues circle remembers that he rejected two offers and regrets even more that Benzema has been presented as a “victim” since the controversy began, unlike Deschamps, who would suffer every time from the events.
