Zinedine Zidane said he could not understand why Karim Benzema was not playing for France after the striker scored two goals and an assist in Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Celta Vigo in their last La Liga game before the international break.
Benzema scored his first goal after 20 minutes at Balaidos and another 10 minutes later – both from Toni Kroos’ passes – while Madrid moved to Barcelona in second place and three points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.
– Ratings: Benzema 9/10, while Ream Madrid beat Celta Vigo
Protection means that Benzema – who has not been called up by French coach Didier Deschamps since 2015 – has 17 league goals this season and has scored eight in his last six games in all competitions.
“You don’t understand, I don’t understand, there are many people who don’t,” Zidane said when asked about Deschamps’ refusal to call Benzema. “For me, as Real Madrid’s coach, it’s better to stay with us, that’s for sure. What he did today with his colleagues was spectacular. He is hardworking and wants more.”
The exclusion of Benzema from the French national team in 2015 resulted from his alleged involvement – for which he is to be tried – in a conspiracy to blackmail former international teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
The initial decision of the French Football Federation to suspend Benzema was followed by Deschamps who omitted Benzema from the Euro 2016 team.
The striker responded by claiming that Deschamps “bowed to the pressure of a racist part of France”, leaving him out.
“As long as Deschamps is the coach of the national team, I will not have a chance to return,” Benzema said in 2017.
While Benzema remains in Madrid during next week’s international window, teammates Raphael Varane and Ferland Mendy will join France – while Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Thibaut Courtois have also been called up by their countries.
“We know the schedule, there are a lot of games, but we will continue, for now the players are fine,” Zidane said when asked about the list of busy matches. “[Modric and Kroos] they will leave with their national teams and play games, for me as Real Madrid coach, which is not ideal, but there is nothing we can do about it. “
Zidane also confirmed that Ramos should be fit to play in Spain, despite missing Real Madrid’s victory at Vigo with a shot.