• Karim Benzema last played for France in October 2015. AFP
    Karim Benzema last played for France in October 2015. AFP
  • Karim Benzema during a friendly between France and Spain in 2014. AFP
    Karim Benzema during a friendly between France and Spain in 2014. AFP
  • Didier Deschamps (back) and Karim Benzema during the 2014 World Cup. AFP
    Didier Deschamps (back) and Karim Benzema during the 2014 World Cup. AFP
  • Karim Benzema and Didier Deschamps holds a press conference in March 2015. AFP
    Karim Benzema and Didier Deschamps holds a press conference in March 2015. AFP
  • Didier Deschamps holds a press conference after announcing the France’s squad list. AFP
    Didier Deschamps holds a press conference after announcing the France’s squad list. AFP
  • Didier Deschamps holds a press conference after announcing the France’s squad list. AFP
    Didier Deschamps holds a press conference after announcing the France’s squad list. AFP
  • epa09209719 The portraits of Karim Benzema (R) and Wissam Ben Yedder are displayed on the screen as Didier Deschamps (unseen) announces the France squad list for Euro 2020. EPA
    epa09209719 The portraits of Karim Benzema (R) and Wissam Ben Yedder are displayed on the screen as Didier Deschamps (unseen) announces the France squad list for Euro 2020. EPA
  • Didier Deschamps holds a press conference after announcing the France’s squad list. AFP
    Didier Deschamps holds a press conference after announcing the France’s squad list. AFP

Karim Benzema: 'I want to win a trophy' with France after ending exile


Steve Luckings
  • English
  • Arabic

Karim Benzema said he can bring something extra to the France team after he was recalled to their provisional Euro 2020 squad following a controversial, six-year international exile.

A serial collector of trophies with club side Real Madrid, Benzema, 33, has been sidelined by Les Bleus since 2015 over his alleged role in a blackmail plot against a France teammate.

Exile saw him miss out on France reaching the Euro 2016 final on home soil and their World Cup triumph in Russia two years later under Didier Deschamps.

Following talks with Deschamps earlier this month, Benzema, who has 27 goals in 81 international appearances for Les Bleus, was recalled to the squad and aims to help them win more silverware.

"I want to win a trophy with the French team," Benzema told L'Equipe.

Benzema top-scored for Real Madrid with 29 goals this term but could not help them retain their La Liga crown as they lost out to Atletico Madrid by two points. The former Lyon striker was last week named as this season's best French foreign-based player by the country's players' association and his club coach, Zinedine Zidane, has described him as the greatest French striker of all time.

Benzema has repeatedly criticised Deschamps and the French Football Federation for being dropped, citing racism as a factor in his axing from the Euro 2016 squad. Benzema is a Muslim and the son of Algerian emigrants.

But he said those differences were in the past after his conversation with the coach.

"We said many things. Things that we needed to say for a long time. It was a good explanation, with important words," Benzema said.

"I'm not coming to the French team to overshadow anyone or to take anyone's place ... I am here to bring what I know."

France kick off their Euro 2020 campaign against three-time winners Germany in Munich on June 15, and also face Hungary and holders Portugal in Group F.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

At Eternity’s Gate

Director: Julian Schnabel

Starring: Willem Dafoe, Oscar Isaacs, Mads Mikkelsen

Three stars

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The specs: 2019 GMC Yukon Denali

Price, base: Dh306,500
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Power: 420hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 621Nm @ 4,100rpm​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​Fuel economy, combined: 12.9L / 100km

2.0

Director: S Shankar

Producer: Lyca Productions; presented by Dharma Films

Cast: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Sudhanshu Pandey

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Teams

Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq

Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi

Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag

Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC

Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC

Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan

Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes

Timeline October 25: Around 120 players to be entered into a draft, to be held in Dubai; December 21: Matches start; December 24: Finals

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.8-litre%204-cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E190hp%20at%205%2C200rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20320Nm%20from%201%2C800-5%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh111%2C195%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Profile Box

Company/date started: 2015

Founder/CEO: Mohammed Toraif

Based: Manama, Bahrain

Sector: Sales, Technology, Conservation

Size: (employees/revenue) 4/ 5,000 downloads

Stage: 1 ($100,000)

Investors: Two first-round investors including, 500 Startups, Fawaz Al Gosaibi Holding (Saudi Arabia)

THE BIO:

Favourite holiday destination: Thailand. I go every year and I’m obsessed with the fitness camps there.

Favourite book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It’s an amazing story about barefoot running.

Favourite film: A League of their Own. I used to love watching it in my granny’s house when I was seven.

Personal motto: Believe it and you can achieve it.

Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
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