"J'aurais trouvé cela obscène": Jimenez parle de "Novembre"
French football legend, Karim Benzema, has been the subject of intense speculation and debate surrounding his exclusion from the French national team for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The decision by Didier Deschamps, the French manager, to leave Benzema out of his squad sparked a frenzy of discussion, with many fans and pundits questioning the reasoning behind the decision.
One of the most prominent voices speaking out on this issue is former France international, David Jimenez. Jimenez, who shared the pitch with Benzema during his time with the national team, recently spoke about the situation in an interview, expressing his strong opinion on the matter.
"J'aurais trouvé cela obscène," he declared, adding that "il était important que Benzema soit là pour les Bleus" (I would have found it obscene. It was important that Benzema was there for Les Bleus).
Jimenez's statement reflects the widespread sentiment among many fans who felt that Benzema, at the peak of his powers, deserved a place in the French squad. His absence was seen as a significant blow to the team's chances of success, and his potential contribution was sorely missed.
The debate surrounding Benzema's exclusion has extended beyond the realm of sport, touching upon issues of race, ethnicity, and social justice. Some argue that the decision to leave Benzema out was influenced by underlying prejudices, pointing to the fact that he is of Algerian descent.
However, Deschamps has consistently denied any such claims, attributing his decision to Benzema's physical fitness and his desire to build a team dynamic based on collective harmony.
Jimenez, however, remains firm in his belief that Benzema's presence would have been invaluable to France. He emphasizes Benzema's unique talent and his ability to inspire his teammates, highlighting the loss felt by the team in his absence.
"Il n'y a pas besoin de parler de la qualité de Benzema," he stated, underlining the undisputed talent of the Real Madrid striker. "C'est un joueur qui a marqué l'histoire du football français." (There's no need to talk about Benzema's quality. He is a player who has made history in French football).
The debate surrounding Benzema's exclusion from the World Cup remains a contentious one, with passionate opinions from both sides of the argument. Jimenez's strong words add another layer to the complex narrative, highlighting the widespread disappointment felt by many regarding the decision.
As the dust settles on the 2022 World Cup, the question of Benzema's future with the French national team remains open. Whether or not he will ever wear the blue jersey again remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: his absence was felt deeply by many French football fans.