With France preparing for a second successive World Cup final, much has been made about Karim Benzema’s potential return to the squad.
The striker became the first Ballon d’Or winner since England’s Kevin Keegan in 1978 to miss the game’s biggest tournament when he pulled up injured on the eve of the tournament.
Benzema’s season has been blighted by fitness concerns, with the 35-year-old limited to only seven La Liga appearances due to a thigh injury.
Despite being named in Didier Deschamps’ 26-man squad, the Real Madrid marksman was forced to fly home without playing a game due to a recurrence of the problem.
Still, with the former Lyon star back in training at club level, reports have suggested Deschamps could recall Benzema to his squad for Sunday’s showpiece final against Argentina.
Here’s the latest on Benzema and the World Cup final.
Could Karim Benzema play for France in the World Cup final?
On purely a theoretical basis, Benzema could feature at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday.
According to section 24.2 of FIFA’s World Cup regulations: “Only the 23 to 26 players on the final list will be permitted to take part in the final competition.”
Et la feuille de match avec les 11 titulaires Marocains ! 💪 pic.twitter.com/qL5qPccv8e
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) December 14, 2022
France did not call up a replacement for the striker upon his departure and the Madrid star’s name continues to appear in their matchday squads, as recently as the semi-final win over Morocco.
Simply put, there would appear to be no reason Benzema could not play in at least some capacity.
Will Karim Benzema play for France in the World Cup final?
This is where it gets interesting.
Ahead of Sunday’s showpiece, Deschamps gas refused to answer questions about Benzema’s availability.
Spanish outlet Libertad Digital claim the Madrid forward believes he was poorly treated after his injury, suggesting Benzema felt that having to leave the camp was a step too far given he reportedly only needed three days of treatment.
Meanwhile, unlike in their 2018 win, Olivier Giroud is in good form. To drop France’s all-time top scorer and a player to have notched four times already in Qatar would be quite the call.
At this stage, it would seem hugely unlikely Benzema will grace the pitch in Doha.
