'Let him play for another country' – Benzema's former agent hits out after admission that France career is 'finished'
'Let him play for another country' – Benzema's former agent hits out after admission that France career is 'finished'

'Let him play for another country' – Benzema's former agent hits out after admission that France career is 'finished'

Karim Djaziri responded angrily to FFF president Noel De Graet, who suggested the Real Madrid star had no more to offer for his country

The former agent of Karim Benzema believes France should let the striker represent another national team after the admission that his Les Bleus career had come to an end. 

Benzema has been frozen out of the international set-up ever since a blackmail scandal that implicated him and fellow France player Mathias Valbuena broke in 2015. 

The Real Madrid played no part in either Euro 2016 nor the qualifying campaign for this year’s World Cup, and watched from the sidelines as Didier Deschamps’ men lifted the trophy in Russia. 

Now FFF president Noel Le Graet has gone public to say it is unlikely he will ever play for France again. 

“The Valbuena-Benzema affair had another episode last week, but it is still not over,” Le Graet told Ouest-France.

“It’s been three or four years. It should have been judged much faster and it is rotten for us.

“I have nothing against Karim, he has always behaved well in the [national] team, but I think he is finished with Les Bleus, particularly as he has been out of form for a while.”

Benzema’s former agent Karim Djaziri wasted no time in responding to Le Graet, and had a peculiar request. 

The Real Madrid forward recently switched representation, according to Marca, leaving Djaziri, who managed the Frenchman for a majority of his career.

“Noel, you already ended Benzema’s international career in June of 2018 and you’re doing it again now and at the same time, you insult him,” Djaziri fired on Twitter. 

“What is your game? Do you feel guilty about something? Write to FIFA and let him play for another team and let’s see if he’s finished.”

The player himself also spoke out, calling on Le Graet to “forget” about him at a time when France should be celebrating. 

“Mr Graet, I ask that you forget about me and leave me alone, please,” he wrote on Twitter. 

“France are world champions and that is what is important, the rest is a waste of time, thank you.”

Benzema picked up 81 caps for France prior to his exile from international duty, scoring 27 goals.