After a long 2085 days, Benzema once again for the French team to build, with the power of two goals to help the team lock the group first. Controversy and suspicion in the past, as if with the two into the net of the ball, instantly dissipated into thin air, 33 years old, he once again ushered in the "honeymoon period" with the French team.
Manager Deschamps believed in him, teammates Pogba and Varane spoke up for him, and the conflict with Giroud was resolved. He scored for the first time at the Euros, and from the moment he returned to the France training ground, he was met with nothing but kindness and tolerance. He gave back to everyone with his all-out running and scoring.
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Europa League first goal
Benzema made his name at a young age at Lyon, leading the French national youth team to the U17 UEFA Youth Championships in 2004 and making his national team debut at the age of less than 20. He scored his first goal for the national team on March 28, 2007, after receiving a great pass from his teammate Nasri.
From 2008 to 2014, Benzema three times with the team in the World Championship, the most brilliant moment appeared in the 2002 World Cup. The first battle against Honduras, he opened the second degree and made a goal, the next round of dedication 1 goal and 2 assists, with three goals of outstanding performance to help France into the World Cup 8. But in the European Cup, either as a substitute in 2008, or in 2012 to become the main striker, Benzema did not score.
Benzema was dismissed from the national team and missed Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup due to a scandal involving alleged extortion of his teammates and an aggravated conflict with manager Didier Deschamps. He last scored with the national team back on October 9, 2015, scoring two goals against Armenia.
On May 19 this year, Benzema returned to the national team after nearly six years and rejoined the field in a friendly against Wales on June 3, but unfortunately conceded a penalty. From the June 9 friendly to defeat Bulgaria, to the UEFA Europa League group stage against Germany and Hungary, Benzema's goal drought continues.
Benzema breaks a 2,085-day national team goal drought. Pic/ic photo
Until the final round of the group stage against Portugal, Benzema finally broke the 2085 days of the national team goal drought, which is also his personal career first goal in the European Cup.
"I thought everyone was waiting for this moment, the whole country was watching me and it was really not a lot of pressure. I am happy and proud to have scored two goals and wanted to share this joy with everyone." The long wait, the anticipation of the crowd was not in vain and Benzema was relieved.
Benzema (third from left) celebrates his goal with his teammates. Photo/Xinhua
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The "war of words" is history.
For the past five years or so, the subject of Benzema has been constantly brought up whenever the French team has been competing in the World Championships. When Deschamps led France to successive runner-up finishes in Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018, the skepticism and mockery of Benzema was even more incessant.
This situation is not difficult to understand, after all, his conflict with the French Football Association, the French team, manager Deschamps and even teammates such as Giroud once became irreconcilable.
At the end of 2015, Benzema was expelled from the French team for Euro 2016 after allegedly blackmailing his teammates. He publicly blasted Deschamps for succumbing to pressure from French racism, which led to Deschamps' home being vandalized with fan graffiti. Deschamps claimed to never forget Benzema's comments, arguing that it went beyond his boundaries and led to violent behavior that hurt his family. Benzema has also publicly taunted another French striker, Giroud, by claiming that he is a Formula 1 car and his opponent is a go-kart at best.
However, with the passage of time, growing older, forming a family, have children, Benzema seems to begin to "regret" once behavior. 2019 early, he said in an interview that he has given up the dream of international football. Until May this year, Benzema and Deschamps "handshake", Real Madrid star returned to the national team.
Neither Deschamps, nor Benzema would reveal who took the first step, the only thing that is certain is that the two had a number of long conversations that were man-to-man, about more than just soccer, in which there were heated arguments, but at the end of the day Deschamps felt that the time was ripe for Benzema's return, and Benzema thanked Deschamps for his understanding and trust.
Benzema has been in good form since his return to the national team. Pic/ic photo
After rejoining the French team, Benzema did not have too much strangeness, experienced only pride and pleasure. The team has his familiar Real Madrid teammates Varane, Pogba, Griezmann, Mbappe, etc. very friendly, Giroud and he laughed off, "If you win the championship, I'll go with Benzema to drive a go-kart."
Benzema failed to score in the first two games of the group stage, Deschamps does not doubt his disciple's ability at all, "He has enough experience, I definitely have confidence in him." Pogba is also speaking for Benzema, "The goals will come sooner or later, we have no doubt." Everything was satisfied with Benzema's training status and surely trusted him on the field, and Benzema eventually rewarded all the goodwill and patience with two goals.
Benzema and Crowe hugged after the match and were side by side back to the locker room. Photo/Xinhua
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Expect to help France to the end
The match with Portugal, Benzema, C Luo double performance of the plum two degrees. After Benzema scored a penalty, Crow took the initiative to shake hands to congratulate him, the end of halftime, the two embraced together, shoulder to shoulder back to the locker room, and exchanged jerseys in the players' channel. The warm interaction between the former Real Madrid teammates was impressive, and inadvertently reminded everyone that it was Benzema who was leading Real Madrid forward after Crowe's departure.
When he joined Real Madrid in 2009, Benzema was only 21 years old, 12 years have passed, with Ramos returning to the team not long ago, Benzema has become the longest serving player in the current Real Madrid squad. Regardless of off-field doubts, he helped Real Madrid win three La Liga titles and four Champions League titles in 12 years.
Although many people say Benzema is old, he recently scored 20+ goals in three consecutive La Liga seasons, and last season he gave 23 goals and 9 assists to achieve the Silver Boot of La Liga. On the club stage, Benzema has not aged well, and now that he is back in the national team, he is looking forward to contributing to the French team.
At 33, Benzema's sword has not aged well. Pic/ic photo
Benzema just wants to build on the present and the future. If Deschamps puts him on the bench, he will take it with an open mind. With teammates like Griezmann, Mbappe and Pogba not working well enough, he will train hard in training. With better teammates around him, he will quietly pull back and create chances for his teammates.
"It is indeed very difficult for players to not be able to play for their national team. For me, there is nothing more painful than missing Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup." Benzema expects to bring the club to the national team and wait to play his style and be recognized by everyone.
After the French team topped the group from the "group of death" breakthrough, the first round of the knockout round of the opponent will be Switzerland, Benzema's self-redemption, the road to prove has just begun.
