Karim Benzema will make his comeback with the Blues. – Alvaro Barrientos / AP / SIPA
In recent years, he has been the comforting voice of lovers of Karim Benzema, those who took refuge on beIN Sports on Saturday night before the Real Madrid match to dream a little in front of the arabesques of “KB nueve”, failing to be able to enjoy it under the blue jersey. Omar Da Fonseca obviously could not remain silent on hearing the news of his return to the national team, he who will have the chance to comment on the French’s exploits in the Euro and in La Liga for the next three seasons. Interview pleasure of the senses.
What is your reaction to the selection of Karim Benzema for the Euro?
Today, this act goes beyond the framework of football and sport. There is another dimension, which is human. It shows a spirit of forgiveness on one side, acceptance on the other, and understanding between the two. On the sporting aspect, no one can doubt his presence. Someone who loves football cannot say that Benzema should not be in the France team. Again, this means that human beings are taking steps forward. There is relief. It’s normal that it happens and finally, it happened.
Is Benzema having his best season in La Liga?
Yes. As I said before, when there was Ronaldo, Benzema was the first cello. Since his departure, he has been obliged to be the director of the orchestra, the screenwriter, the director… At the time, Ronaldo had Di Maria and other players around him. Today, Benzema finds himself with a “drought” of teammates to provoke and score goals. Neither Vinicius, nor Asensio, nor Rodrygo could help him.
In Spain, a newspaper had qualified as a “crime” not to retain Benzema, after his performance and his goal in the semi-final first leg of the Champions League against Chelsea (1-1) …
I will not use the term “crime” to talk about football or sport. But of course with his maturity, his experience of major events, his 12 years at Real Madrid, he meets all the criteria to be international. Obviously, we were waiting for this quarrel, or rather this non-understanding, this misunderstood situation to be resolved. Once again, Didier Deschamps and Karim Benzema have shown that football should be a union, a fusion and give positive things. With this act, football and sport come out grown.
Did you raise the subject with Benzema?
I had the chance to speak with Karim last Tuesday. We did a little interview. He was very reserved on the subject and on this point, it is normal… I have grandchildren and I told him that they did not know Platini or Zidane as a player, but that ‘they know Benzema. I think that today, he is the French player known and recognized at the world level.
This return is logical on a sporting level, but don’t you fear a problem of balance in this France team which is doing well so far?
I do not believe it one second. Either you attack or you defend, there is no notion of balance. Karim will bring what no other player could give. We imagine Mbappé, Benzema, Griezmann, Coman and Dembélé together. I don’t know if, in the history of football, there have already been five or six players of such strength, of such experience, who play in the best clubs in the world. Yes, we’ll have to adapt, but it’s very motivating.