Karim Benzema has been out of the France picture for more than two years, but one of his former teammates is convinced he should still be leading the line for Les Bleus.
Speaking to L’Équipe as Brazil prepare to face France during the upcoming international break, Fabinho, now at Al-Ittihad, did not hesitate when asked if the 38-year-old Benzema could still play at international level.
“Of course, he’s good enough. I think he’s still the best French number 9,” the former Liverpool midfielder said, before underlining just how complete he believes the Ballon d’Or winner remains. “Actually, I don’t even know if he’s a true number 9, but Karim is very strong; he makes the difference. He can score, he can create… That’s Karim.”
Benzema has not featured in a Didier Deschamps squad since 2022. He was called up for the FIFA World Cup that year, only for injury to strike on the eve of the tournament. Forced to withdraw before a ball was kicked, he later announced his retirement from international football, closing the book on a turbulent but glittering spell with France.
On paper, that should have been the end of the story. A legend bows out, the next generation steps in.
Yet Fabinho’s words cut through that neat narrative. From the vantage point of Saudi Arabia, where both men now play, he sees a forward whose class has not dimmed with age, a player he still regards as the reference point for French centre-forwards.
For Deschamps and France, the Benzema chapter is closed. For those who shared a dressing room with him, the idea lingers: if he walked back into the national team tomorrow, would anyone really be surprised?
