Real Madrid News
French NT players call Benzema an a**hole in training, according to leaked video
2022 FIFA World Cup runners-up France are set to kickstart their Euro 2024 qualifiers soon when they take on the Netherlands this evening.
Les Bleus have already been in the news lately, following Didier Deschamps’ decision to appoint Kylian Mbappe the captain ahead of Antoine Griezmann. The decision has left the Atletico Madrid superstar disappointed, though Mbappe said he has maintained a cordial relationship with him.
Nevertheless, a video, as shared by GFFN, has now emerged ahead of the Netherlands match, where the French players are discussing Karim Benzema, during a training session.
In that session, one national team player said, “It’s good without Benzema, huh?” In response, another French NT player said, “Well yeah, he is an a**hole.”
Karim Benzema seemingly remains a topic of discussion in the French camp.
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) March 24, 2023
📽@El7blancoo pic.twitter.com/q8bSdvTtSW
Benzema’s bust-up with the French national team is not a new story. However, the relationship between the two entities reached a new low during the preparation for the 2022 World Cup, when the forward was ruled out due to an injury.
It was later revealed that many factors played a role in ruling Benzema out of the tournament, including the forward’s bust-up with coach Deschamps. The two have even shared social media barbs since.
The animosity in the French NT over Benzema, therefore, is highly surprising, especially in the current squad, where a lot of players are relatively new and are highly influenced by Deschamps, more than anyone else.
Benzema, for his part, has already announced his retirement from international football. He is currently focusing on the season with Real Madrid, with the hope of being offered a renewal, as his current deal at Bernabeu expires at the end of the season.
Eden Hazard is one of the Real Madrid players who have vowed to stay at Santiago Bernabeu until the end of his contract. His current deal at the club expires in 2024.
Even though the Real Madrid star has been courted by several MLS and even the Saudi Arabian clubs, the forward has shown no desire to leave Bernabeu just yet. He wants to stay at the club even though Los Blancos are ready to sanction his sale this summer.
In the midst of this drama, a fresh report from Alfredo Matilla suggests Real Madrid are now considering terminating the contract of Eden Hazard.
This comes shortly after a report which claimed that a Real Madrid player who is not out of contract this summer, may shockingly leave the club this summer. Ferland Mendy was a potential candidate, but it appears Hazard has not been ruled out either.
The Belgian international has offered very little since joining from Chelsea in 2019 for a record-breaking €115 million fee. His spell at the Bernabeu has been marred by injuries, while the player has also struggled to impress when given the opportunities.
Inside the Real Madrid dressing room, there is both grief and resentment towards Belgian, who has remained steadfast in his decision to stay at the club. He has a good standing in the team due to his professionalism, but the Real Madrid bosses are determined to get rid of him this summer.
Hazard, after all, is the highest-paid player in the squad and his departure could open up a chunk of the space in the salary mass. But it must be noted that Real Madrid would have to spend a fortune to terminate Hazard’s contract.
Hence, it will be interesting to see whether or not Los Blancos end up splashing the cash in order to get Hazard out of their books this coming summer.
