There are few players in the world right now who are dominating the soccer world like Karim Benzema. Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid in 2018, Benzema has risen to the occasion. Benzema was the protagonist of Real Madrid’s historic 14th Champions League title last year. However, the Real Madrid star’s international career has been marred with controversy.
Despite having a promising start to his international career, Karim Benzema made the headlines in 2015 because of an alleged s*x tape scandal. Benzema was accused of blackmailing his former French teammate Mathieu Valbuena. After years of tedious legal proceedings and stints of suspension, he was finally cleared to play for France again a couple of years ago.
Karim Benzema was arrested for blackmailing his teammate
Back in 2015, Karim Benzema found himself in the eye of the storm after he was accused of blackmailing Mathieu Valbuena over a recorded s*x tape. The situation started when Valbuena asked a man named Axel Angot to upload some materials from his phone to a new device. Angot, upon finding sexual content on Valbuena’s phone, started blackmailing the French star.
Angot was joined by a few more people, one of which was Benzema’s childhood friend Karim Zenati. Benzema was reportedly asked to be a middleman in the attempt to extort Valbuena. The French police found further evidence against Benzema by tapping into the phone calls of the blackmailers. According to the BBC, Benzema had had multiple discussions with Zenati about trying to get Valbuena to pay.
Benzema had allegedly said, “I said (to Valbuena): ‘If you want the video to be destroyed, my friend comes up to see you in Lyon and you sort it out face to face with him.’” He further said, “I said (to Valbuena): ‘My role stops here. Now it’s my friend who takes over. He’s the one who knows the person with the video. Me, I don’t know him. So now if you want to sort this out, give me your number. I’ll pass it on and you sort it out with him.’“
However, refusing to give in to the blackmailers’ demands, Valbuena reported the incident to the police. Benzema was soon brought in for questioning by the police. He was detained overnight at the headquarters of the judicial police of Versailles. The prosecutor’s office finally announced that Karim Benzema was facing a formal investigation for complicity in attempted blackmail and participation in a criminal conspiracy.
Benzema was suspended from the French National Team
Soon after his arrest, Karim Benzema was handed a provisional ban from the French National team, despite pleading to be innocent. Benzema’s suspension meant that he wasn’t able to play any part in the UEFA Euro 2016 and the World Cup 2018. The French Prime Minister Manuel Valls also issued a statement following Benzema’s arrest. He said, “A great athlete should be exemplary. If he is not, he has no place in the France team.”
“There are so many kids, so many youngsters in our suburbs that relate to great athletes. They wear the blue jersey, the colors of France, which are so important in these moments.” Former French Football Federation (FFF) president Noël Le Graët handed Benzema a provisional ban back in 2015. Later in 2019, he also stated that Benzema’s “adventure with France is over.”
Noël je croyais que vous n’interfériez pas dans les décisions du sélectionneur!Sachez que c’est moi et moi seul qui mettrait un terme à ma carrière internationale.
Si vous pensez que je suis terminé, laissez moi jouer pour un des pays pour lequel je suis éligible et nous verrons.— Karim Benzema (@Benzema) November 16, 2019
Karim Benzema himself had a fiery response to Le Graët’s comments when he wrote, “Noel, I thought you did not interfere in the decisions of the coach! Know that it is me and me alone who would put an end to my international career. If you think I’m finished, let me play for one of the countries I’m eligible for and we’ll see.”
However, France legend Zinedine Zidane offered his support to Karim Benzema. Zidane, who was also Benzema’s coach in Real Madrid, said, “How can we understand why Karim doesn’t go with the national team? There are many who don’t understand it.” Former Manchester United player Eric Cantona also expressed his desire of wanting to see Benzema back in the French squad.
Benzema finally gets a call-up to the French squad
After waiting for almost 6 years, Karim Benzema’s exile finally ended when he received a call-up to the France National team in 2021. Although it was announced by Versailles’ public prosecutor’s office at the beginning of the year that Benzema would have to face a trial. However, the FFF finally lifted Benzema’s suspension in May 2021, making him eligible to play in the upcoming UEFA Euro 2020.
Talking to French newspapers about his “shock” call up, Benzema said, “It was a special day. I was waiting like everyone else, in front of the TV. I was really happy… It happened really fast, it was a feeling of joy and pride. It was a little shock, it’s been a long time!” The former Lyon forward also revealed that he had no idea that the French coach Didier Deschamps would bring him back.
Although it was a disappointing Euro campaign for France, Karim Benzema played a talismanic role. The 33-year-old star proved his place in the team, scoring 4 goals throughout the tournament. Meanwhile, Benzema’s partner up-front, Kylian Mbappe, had a rather dismal tournament. Not only did Mbappe not score in the tournament but he also missed the decisive penalty in the shootout against Switzerland in the round of 16.
Later that year, Karim Benzema was finally found guilty of complicity in the attempted blackmail of Mathieu Valbuena. The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner was handed a one-year suspended jail term and was fined around $82,000. However, the FFF declared that Benzema had already served his suspension and hence was not subject to any further suspension.
Benzema announces his retirement from the France National Team
Karim Benzema was called up for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar last year after a string of impressive performances with France. Unfortunately, Benzema couldn’t play a single second in the tournament due to a thigh injury. Albeit there were rumors that Benzema could have featured for France in the final against Argentina. However, the French striker announced his retirement just a day after France’s heartbreaking defeat to Argentina.
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After scoring 37 goals in 97 appearances for France, Karim Benzema brought his controversial international career to an end. He wrote, “I’ve made the efforts and mistakes that were necessary for me to be where I am today and I’m proud of it! I’ve written my story and ours comes to an end.” Benzema had also reportedly declined French President Emmanuel Macron’s invitation to watch the World Cup final together.