Zidane on whether Karim Benzema should play Euro or not

Zidane on whether Karim Benzema should play Euro or not

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane says Karim Benzema should play Euro because France cannot afford to lose him.

 Karim Benzema has been accused of blackmailing his national teammate Matieu Valbuena over the existence of his alleged sex tape, and both players were dropped from the French squad.

“France cannot afford to ignore a player of Benzema’s calibre,” Zidane told Le Foot.

Zidane on whether Karim Benzema should play Euro or not

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9pcs9l7GrA

[MyAd]

“When we look at his numbers and everything he does on the field, we cannot let a player of this level go.”

However, French defender Laurent Koscielny doesn’t agree with Zidane assessment as he believes France have enough quality to deal with the absence of Real Madrid striker.

Without Karim, we would take a small handicap to the Euros,” the Arsenal defender told Journal du Dimanche. “But we have alternatives.

“Both players must be saddened to find themselves in this situation. They love Les Bleus and have done a lot for the team.”

Zidane on whether Karim Benzema should play Euro or not

[MyAd]

“I believe, of course,” he said. “Our group is winnable, but we must always be careful. There will be an incredible expectation.

“Since the World Cup, we have felt a solidarity amongst the group, happy to be together with young people surrounded by some old.

“We will live for one and a half months together, it is necessary that the atmosphere is good.”

Meanwhile,French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet has defended his position to support Karim Benzema, in the aftermath of sex tape scandal.

Zidane on whether Karim Benzema should play Euro or not

Those who say it has been badly managed, that is their problem. We are straight-up people in the Federation despite the fact we are often attacked.

“This case is disappointing and it hurts us and, yes, there is affection [for Benzema]. But because I love him it’s like I have become dishonest.

“But I manage this situation as I see fit. I’ve always been pretty close to Benzema because I knew about his childhood difficulties.

“Maybe I have that side of me. But I have never seen such media treatment. Never.”