العربية
Real Madrid's Karim Benzema (third left) attends a training session with teammates at the Ciudad Real Madrid training complex in Valdebebas, outskirts of Madrid, on December 29, 2022. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)

Benzema 'motivated and enthusiastic' despite World Cup misery

In this file photo taken on September 4, 2014, French forward Karim Benzema strikes during the friendly football match France vs Spain, at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP)

Benzema retires from international football after missing World Cup

France's coach Didier Deschamps attends a press conference at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in Doha on November 29, 2022. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

France coach Deschamps refuses to discuss holidaying Benzema

France's Kylian Mbappe (centre) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group D match against Denmark at Stadium 974 in Doha on November 26, 2022. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Mbappe shows France attack well equipped without Benzema

Brazil's defender Eder Militao controls the ball during a training session at the Al Arabi SC Stadium in Doha on November 20, 2022, just moments before the kick-off of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP)

We thought Benzema was fine when he reported for France duty: Militao