Karim Benzema calls French coach Didier Deschamps the clown of World Cup claims

Karim Benzema has hit back at Didier Deschamps, claiming the France manager is not honest about the Real Madrid striker’s departure from his World Cup squad.

Deschamps gave an interview to Le Parisien newspaper, published on Friday, in which he described the circumstances of Benzema’s departure from the squad after suffering a hamstring injury in training ahead of the tournament in Qatar.

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Benzema’s agent has previously criticized Deschamps’ decision to send the player home. Sources told ESPN that Benzema felt he could have stayed in the squad to take part in the tournament later when he was fit again.

“There is only one truth and Karim knows it well,” Deschamps told Le Parisien.

“Karim is annoyed because this World Cup meant a lot to him. [After the results of a scan confirmed his injury] he told me he was ‘dead’. At best, his return to training could not have come before December 10th.

“When I left him I said: ‘Karim, there is no rush. Organize your return with the team manager.’ When I woke up I realized he was gone. It was his choice.”

Benzema later responded on social media on Friday, sharing Deschamps’ quotes in an Instagram story and writing “What a nerve” followed by a clown emoji, followed by another story saying “Dear Didier, good night,” accompanied by a video clip of a man repeatedly saying the word “liar.”

The Ballon d’Or winner has struggled with a string of injuries this season. In the month leading up to the World Cup, he made just one stand-in for Real Madrid, ultimately unsuccessfully attempting to regain fitness in time for the tournament.

In all, he has started 15 of Madrid’s 25 La Liga games this season, scoring 11 goals and missing Saturday’s game against Espanyol with an ankle problem.

Benzema did not play for France for six years, ruled out by Deschamps for his alleged involvement in extorting former teammate Mathieu Valbuena, before returning in 2021.

He retired from international football in December following France’s defeat in the World Cup final to Argentina, saying: “I made the efforts and mistakes it took to get where I am today and I’m proud on it! story and ours is coming to an end.”