The final game of the World Cup is near, but the current champion is in trouble. The virus is spreading over the team, with both starting center-backs Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate currently infected, and nobody knows will they be available for the Sunday game. On top of that, coach Didier Deschamps has to deal with Karim Benzema issue, which can potentially disrupt the locker room ahead of the biggest match. France is on the verge of becoming only the third team in history to win back-to-back World Cup titles (Brazil and Italia), but on top of everything, Deschamps has to answer questions about Real Madrid’s number 9 on a daily basis, and how, he got the indirect response from him. Karim Benzema speaks 🗣 pic.twitter.com/wJpjyxmAmp— GOAL (@goal) December 16, 2022 As we all know, Karim Benzema got injured on the first training session in Doha. He was sent home immediately, and Spanish publication ‘Libertad Digital’ claimed he was furious with Deschamps for his decision, especially when it was found out that his thigh injury only needed three days of treatment. And his decision is now coming back to him, since Benzema made a quick recovery and even played in Real’s friendly match with Leganes last week. Under the FIFA rules, he could be called back to the squad and even play in the finals, and journalists have exploited that topic heavily, much to Deschamps anger.“I don’t really want to answer that question. Next question” said France coach with a grim on his face. French headache: two more players infected with the virus with the World Cup final loomingBut he got the unofficial answer from Benzema. Last night, Real’s striker posted a selfie on his Instagram account with a simple sentence: ‘I’m not interested’, which was widely regarded as the answer for a call to come back to the squad. To be precise, he never got the call to come back (apart from the fans). Simba’s delighted with improved fitness as camp preparation intensifiesAnd in today’s press conference, the question was asked again, but this time Deschamps decided to put the issue to rest by answering properly and precisely – Benzema is not coming back to the team. “Does the word spread among foreign journalists to ask about him? If he doesn’t answer, you’ll say I’m angry. I have players who were injured before. Karim is one of them. The last to be injured was Lucas Hernández. Since then, I have 24 players to manage. Posing the question about these players is, to say the least, a bit awkward. The group is here. I am not worried about the invitations of players, former players or injured players nor do I deal with it. We had a group at the beginning and because of what happened… We lost three of them, with Nkunku at the beginning. They were part of the beginning of the adventure. Tomorrow we will be 24″ said Deschamps at the press conference ahead of the finals. ##NAJAVA_MECA_6893005##
