Rather discreet in the media since his ouster from the French team before Euro 2016, Karim Benzema has been the buzz twice in recent days by taking part in the game of live videos on Instagram in which he gives his opinion on football. Recently, he replied on his social networks to Noël Le Graët, who considered that his career in blue was “Finished”. “It is I and I alone who will put an end to my international career”, he wrote. Benzema does not speak much, but when he gives his opinion on French players, it is rarely disappointing.
– –
Concerning Mathieu Valbuena: “It is at the bottom of the sea”
The quarrel between Karim Benzema and Mathieu Valbuena dates back to the end of 2015 with the revelations about the now famous sextape affair. Since then, the two former players of the France team never miss an opportunity to send each other a spade. Monday March 23, during a live on Instagram, Benzema, asked about his intention to invite Valbuena, dropped an incisor: “No, he’s at the bottom of the sea. I don’t know where it is. “
– –
It is not the first time that Benzema tackles his ex-teammate in selection. In March 2018, in an interview with the Parisian, Valbuena said he was ready to shake hands with the Real Madrid striker if he crossed paths with him. “Keep your hand”, Benzema replied in an Instagram story.
– –
The previous year, in an interview in L’Équipe, Benzema had already been acerbic towards the current Olympiakos player. “It’s a great masquerade! […] Everything started from its history. We don’t know the truth. In addition, when I hear him say now that he is ready to replay with me, that he does not want me … There is really something wrong with him! “
– –
Concerning Antoine Griezmann: “I gave him some advice”
If he has scratched Olivier Giroud, (“We don’t confuse F1 with karting, and again I’m nice. I know I am F1 “) Benzema also knows how to be glowing about French players. In 2017, in L’Équipe, he talked about his relationships with Antoine Griezmann. “He is someone I like, assured the former Lyonnais. I don’t want to speak for him, but when he arrived in the French team, it was not going very well for his debut at Atlético de Madrid. I gave him some advice “, he added while admitting not knowing where Griezmann could play if he signed at Real Madrid when a departure from Atlético was expected for the world champion.
– –
Benzema and Griezmann during the Clasico go (0-0). (F. Faugère / L’Équipe)
– –
Concerning Kylian Mbappé: “A phenomenon but it has to settle down”
During his last live on Instagram, Benzema praised Kylian Mbappé. “He’s a player I really like, assured the star of Real. He still has a lot to learn. But he’s hot, strong, he’s a very good player. “ Three years ago, Benzema compared his career to that of the PSG striker, in The team : “It’s a phenomenon for his age (18), but he has to settle down over time. At first, things go quickly in superlatives. I was stamped the same way when I started in Lyon at 17, scored my first goal in C1 or became a top scorer in L1 at 20 in 2008. “
– –
Regarding Patrice Evra: “To end like that is ugly”
Close to Patrice Evra, Karim Benzema spoke about the retirement of the former left side, a few days after his departure from OM, following his argument with a supporter: “He likes to laugh and set the mood, Benzema said on the set of the Canal Football Club. He is in life as he was with us. It is sad what happens to him. It can happen to anyone. To finish like that is ugly. It’s sad. “
– – 
Evra and Benzema in the French team. (S. Mantey / The Team)
– –
Regarding Valère Germain: “I know you are a good player”
Valère Germain, the OM striker, under fire from critics for several months, received unexpected support from Benzema, last Monday, during a previous live on Instagram. “It is not zero, launched the Real Madrid striker. Why in Monaco was it good? In Marseille, there is a lot of pressure. There are players who can handle it and others who can’t. He is under pressure. […] In Marseille, he started well and then he made a match or two and there it was. That’s why it’s hard for him. It is not a disaster. […] Valère Germain, if you can hear me and watch this video, I know you are a good player. “
– –
Concerning Olivier Giroud: “We don’t confuse F1 and karting”
Karim Benzema’s comments on Olivier Giroud, Sunday March 29, during a live on Instagram, obviously made a lot of noise. “We don’t confuse F1 with karting, and I’m nice. Next. […] I know that I am F1 “said the Real Madrid striker. The latter, absent for more than four years from the French team, also recognized that the Chelsea striker was useful to the French team. Statements he reiterated on Twitter on Monday.
– –
“It works because it’s there, it’s the only thing, added “KB9”. It won’t be spectacular, it’s not going to be crazy, but in his thing, you will no longer see a Griezmann and a Mbappé because Giroud will go to coal. ” In 2013, when asked about the competition with Giroud, Benzema already said: “He’s a good striker, he plays his matches, it’s good for him, for his club, for the French team. He must continue. Competition is everywhere. We don’t play Giroud against Benzema. It is not that, in any case I see it like that. “
– –
A few months later, he clarified that Giroud was “A very good point of fixation” in the attack of the Blues. Since France-Armenia (4-0), October 8, 2015, the date of the last selection of Karim Benzema (32 years, 81 selections, 27 goals), Olivier Giroud (33 years, 97 selections, 39 goals) has played 55 games with the Blues (45 as holders) and scored 29 times.
– – .
