Real Madrid News
Benzema unlikely to travel to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup final
Even without some of their biggest names, the French National Team finds itself in the final of the World Cup for the second consecutive time and is just one win away from pulling off an unbelievable title defence.
Les Bleus have been of the best attacking sides in the competition and have found it relatively easy to score with the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe leading the attack. Yet, one can only imagine what a step up it would have been had Karim Benzema been part of the team.
The player was initially called up as part of the team but later removed because of an unfortunate injury. Interestingly, the manager did not call up any backup, and Benzema’s name is still registered in the competition.
According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, the Ballon d’Or winner will not attend his team’s final, either as player or spectator.
Despite having recovered from his injury quite a while ago, he does not intend to join the team and feels that the manager’s decision to send him home early was hasty.
Real Madrid will not object or pose any obstacles if Benzema wants to travel to Qatar for the final. The decision to avoid the game is entirely Benzema’s.
Benzema’s decision does not come as a big surprise, especially when one recollects Didier Deschamps’ reaction when asked if the legendary striker would be available for the final.
“I prefer not to answer. Come on, next question.”
MARCA is also reporting that the French Football Federation (FFF) has extended an invitation to Benzema to attend the World Cup final, not in a playing capacity. But at the moment, his presence is not confirmed and going by the report from MD, the striker has no plans to travel to Qatar.
Having returned to full fitness, Benzema took part in Real Madrid’s friendly against Leganes earlier today which ended in a 1-1 draw. The 34-year-old has scored five goals and provided one assist for Los Blancos this season. Further, he has averaged over two key passes and close to five shots per game.
Before he was hired by Bayern Munich as the direct replacement for Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel was closely linked with a move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
The German tactician had kept a close eye on the development at Santiago Bernabeu, especially with coach Carlo Ancelotti facing immense pressure following the club’s poor performances in domestic competitions.
A recent report from Jorge Picon has offered more details on the Tuchel saga, suggesting that the coach was even learning Spanish during his time at Ibiza, anticipating a potential move to Real Madrid at the end of the season.
There were even contacts made between Tuchel’s entourage and Real Madrid. Although the talks were positive, the two sides were not able to reach an agreement.
Real Madrid did not guarantee him the job. They had informed Tuchel that Ancelotti may continue at the Bernabeu in the event the club win the UEFA Champions League this season.
This bit of uncertainty played a critical role in convincing Tuchel to join Bayern Munich instead. The former Chelsea boss was hired as a direct replacement for Nagelsmann, who was sacked after a poor season in the Bundesliga by the club’s high standards.
However, Tuchel’s move to Bayern appears to be a missed opportunity on the German’s part, as Real Madrid have recently intensified their search for a new manager.
It is clear that the club’s hierarchy is yet to reach a consensus over the future of Ancelotti, with some believing that a change is necessary come the end of the season. In fact, the club’s president Florentino Perez has been an admirer of Tuchel’s compatriot Nagelsmann.
The coaching prodigy is one of the candidates to replace Ancelotti in the summer, though it is Mauricio Pochettion who is reportedly leading the race so far.
