Karim Benzema Set To Be Named In France Euro 2020 Squad Six Years After Last Call Up

Karim Benzema is set for a huge surprise call up for France's Euro 2020 squad, six years after the Real Madrid striker's last appearance for the national team.

Benzema was ousted from the France squad in 2015 and has been left out since due to his alleged role in a sex tape scandal surrounding former teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

Didier Deschamps decided against calling up the 33-year-old for the Euros in 2016 and World Cup in 2018, which France went on to win.

However, with just three weeks until the Euros starts, reports in France have claimed that the manager will call up Benzema for this summer's tournament.

The former Lyon striker has scored 22 goals in La Liga this season, making him the club's top scorer by far as they attempt to beat local rivals Atletico Madrid to the title.

His call up would mean that Deschamps, who has in the past been accused of being too defensive with the incredible talent available to him, could play a front three of Benzema, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.

The striker has scored 27 goals in 81 appearances for France, scoring four goals at the 2014 World Cup, although he did miss out on the 2010 tournament despite playing in the 2008 Euros.

Whilst Benzema's problems with Valbuena won't get in his way for the upcoming tournament, with the midfielder not having been in the squad since 2016, he may have an issue with Olivier Giroud.

The Chelsea striker was a key part in France's triumph at the World Cup three years ago in Russia but his fellow forward isn't a huge fan.

Asked last year to rate Giroud, Benzema took to social media saying, "This won't take long. You don't confuse F1 with go-karting. And I'm being kind. Next... and I know I'm F1.

"It [the team] works because he's there. That's all. It's not going to be spectacular, it's not going to be anything crazy but in his way you see more of [Antoine] Griezmann or [Kylian] Mbappe because he will put the work in.

"Does everyone like that way of playing? I don't know."

It's not like there's ever been a problem for France squads at a major tournament before...

Deschamps huge decision could be a stroke of genius or the thing that derails France's chances at Euro 2020, only time will tell.

Topics: Football, Euro 2020, Karim Benzema, France, Real Madrid

Ryan Sidle

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