Featured Image Credit: Alamy/Instagram
Topics: Karim Benzema, Zinedine Zidane, Football, Football World Cup, France
Nasir Jabbar
Topics: Karim Benzema, Zinedine Zidane, Football, Football World Cup, France
Karim Benzema shared a cryptic message on social media after reports claimed Zinedine Zidane 'turned down' France's invite for the World Cup final.
France meet Argentina on Sunday in the World Cup final and will look to make it back-to-back triumphs following their success in Russia in 2018.
It had been suggested that Benzema could return to the fold having missed the entire tournament after suffering a crushing injury days before their opener.
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But Didier Deschamps refused to talk about the Real Madrid superstar following their semi-final victory.
"I don’t really want to answer that question," he said. "Next question. I do apologise."
Benzema has been left 'furious' and 'outraged' by Deschamps and has no plans to fly out to Qatar for the showpiece event.
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And it appears the 34-year-old has the backing of Zidane, who has 'turned down' France's invite for the World Cup final, according to RMC Sport.
Shortly after the report of Zidane's refusal, Benzema posted a message on Instagram.
He uploaded a picture of him hugging the France legend during the Ballon d'Or ceremony, accompanied with the caption: "Bonne niut" - which translates to "Good night".
Benzema, however, will receive a World Cup medal should France beat Argentina because he wasn't replaced in the squad following his injury.
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If France do successfully defend their title, he'll join Zidane in boasting a World Cup medal, with the 50-year-old holding the star forward in high regard.
After the player's Ballon d'Or victory this year, Zidane hailed Benzema as the 'best striker in French football history',
He said: "The best striker in the history of French football? Everyone has their favourite player. Some people will tell you it’s Jean-Pierre Papin with his exceptional goals, others will talk about Michel Platini.
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"For me, it’s Karim, yes, because I’ve been around him and I know what he’s worth. In any case, he deserves to be very high. I wish him to continue for a long time to go for records and to shine on the field, with Real Madrid and with the French team.
"He is capable of going even higher."