Speaking in an interview with RMC, Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema discussed his continuous non-selection at the hands of the French national team, and admitted that he wants answers.
“It is hard. Especially when you play for a big club like Madrid. Everyone is an international there. It is also hard because I like football, big games and we know that the national team comes with matches at a very high level. Each time that I was able to play for the French national team, I was proud. So when I am not on the list, it is disappointing.”
“In terms of what I have done at Madrid for eight years now, I think that I proved that I still had years ahead of me in the French national team. For a year and a half I have been away from it. I am struggling to cope. Some say that I do not like the national team. If that was the case, I would have said that directly to the manager, because I am a big boy. But today, I find it unfair because I have not received an explanation. I am a man and I would like to have explanations, for someone to explain to me why I am not being selected. I will keep it in my head that the reason I am not being called up for the moment, is football reasons, and there are players who are better than me.”
“What I would like at least is to have a discussion with the manager, for him to tell me what he is thinking. I need to know. The last time that I spoke to the manager on the phone, it was way before the Euros. He said to me: “Karim, I am going to tell you something that won’t make you happy, I am not selecting you.” At that point, as I was very disappointed, I did not need an explanation. Since then, there has not been anymore contact. But today, in hindsight, I would like for him to explain to me why he did not select me and why it is dragging on. I ask myself that question every day.”