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Published 09:22 IST, November 18th 2019

Karim Benzema could play for another country after controversial France snub

Karim Benzema has found himself left in the cold by the French national team. The Real Madrid striker has demanded he be allowed to switch allegiances.

Reported by: Colin DCunha
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Karim Benzema
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Karim Benzema has all but seen his hopes of making a return to the French national team dwindle down to nothing after constantly being left out of the France squad by Didier Deschamps. The Real Madrid striker missed out on Euro 2016 which was played in France. He also did not make the squad for the 2018 World Cup, which, incidentally, saw France emerge winners. The continued absence of Benzema from the French national team is down to his alleged involvement in the blackmail of then-France teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

Also Read | Karim Benzema Hits Out At Continued French Exile

Karim Benzema hits out on Twitter

Now, the former Lyon striker has reportedly demanded that France allow him to switch his national team allegiances. Karim Benzema is of Algerian descent. However, he will find it difficult to make the switch to the Algerian national team, considering that he has played competitively for France. He wouldn't, therefore, be allowed to switch allegiances under current FIFA rules.

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Nevertheless, Karim Benzema launched a tirade of sorts on Twitter recently. His Twitter tirade was directed at French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet. The FFF president earlier said that Benzema's "adventure" with France was over. Karim Benzema, in turn, replied saying he thought the FFF president did not interfere with the decisions that lie with the coach of the France football team, Didier Deschamps. Benzema also said that he alone would put an end to his international career, and if the FFF president thinks he is finished, France should let him play for one of the countries that he is eligible for.

Also Read | Karim Benzema Hits 11 Crossbars In 11 Seconds

Algeria manager Djamel Belmadi, however, said that he is more than happy with the squad at his disposal currently, while speaking to an Algerian outlet. Algeria have no dearth of strikers at the present, with Djamel Belmadi having the luxury of calling upon Baghdad Bounedjah, Islam Slimani, Andy Delort and Hillal Soudani. Algeria also won the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year. While Benzema would not be allowed to switch his national team allegiances to Algeria due to the current FIFA rules, Algeria manager Djamel Belmadi has effectively ruled out calling up Benzema to national duty, should the unlikely event of him being eligible for Algeria come to fruition. 

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Updated 10:54 IST, November 18th 2019