Real Madrid News
Benzema could shed light on World Cup ouster, issues with Deschamps – report
The biggest gossip to come out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in December was the alleged feud between Karim Benzema and Didier Deschamps.
Widely regarded as the leader of the French attack, especially after the Ballon d’Or triumph, Benzema was sent home from Qatar after an injury, even though it was not serious.
Reports have suggested that the Real Madrid captain could have been back in action by the time France played their Ro16 tie. It led to the speculation that everything was not okay between manager Deschamps and him, which ultimately led to his departure.
Benzema, too, subsequently announced his retirement from international football.
And now, if reports from RMC Sport (h/t GOAL) are to be believed, it appears the former Lyon starlet could speak out to the media, in order to explain his version of the story of what went down in the national team camp.
Benzema, who has almost 100 caps for Les Bleus, not only had issues with Deschamps, but some of the players within the France camp were allegedly against him being present in the side.
Should the striker decide to give an account of the matter publicly, it would be akin to a bombshell. It must be noted that while Benzema announced his retirement from international football, Deschamps received a new contract with France until 2026.
The Real Madrid captain’s desire to gain closure to the World Cup mess is hardly surprising as the constant speculations are likely to have an impact.
The veteran forward still has too much football left in him, though. Even as his contract expires at the end of the season, the forward is likely to renew and spearhead the Real Madrid frontline for at least another year, before someone like Endrick or even a new signing comes in to replace the Frenchman.
There is no way back for Eden Hazard at Real Madrid. The Belgian international has not given the management any reason to have faith in his abilities over his past four seasons at the club and is unsurprisingly the most important departure for the Merengues in the summer.
Hazard has one more year on his contract in Madrid. However, it is clear that Carlo Ancelotti does not trust him and that any potential replacement manager in the summer will echo his stance.
According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, Fenerbahce are willing to go all out to sign Hazard this summer. The Turkish side have made the former Chelsea their prime target, yet face a steep task ahead of them.
The 32-year-old is hellbent on seeing out his contract with Los Blancos despite seeing his career sink right before his eyes. It thus becomes complicated for the party to lure away the forward, especially in a competition outside Europe’s top five leagues.
Fenerbahce attempted to sign the winger in the recently concluded winter transfer market. They reached an agreement with Real Madrid but failed to get over the line as they could not convince the player of the move.
The biggest obstacle for the Turkish side will be convincing Hazard to make the move by letting go of his lucrative contract in Madrid. The chances are slim, but not impossible.
Hazard has made just three league appearances and one start for Ancelotti’s side this season in La Liga, a steep fall from last season’s 18 and seven respectively.
His last appearance for the team came back in January when Real Madrid faced Cacereno in the Copa del Rey. In La Liga however, he last played in September 2022 in a 4-1 win over Mallorca.
