Karim Benzema waited more than 5 years to return to the French national football team, and yesterday, Sunday, responded in the best way to his critics by leading the "roosters" to the European Nations League title.
Benzema contributed to France's victory in the second edition of the European Nations League, after he scored in the semi-final against Belgium 4 days ago, and in the final against Spain on Sunday.
This is the first title in Benzema's international career with the French national team, but he has become the most decorated French player with 27 titles with clubs and the national team.
Yesterday's title came to compensate for some of the heartbreak that accompanied Benzema throughout his exclusion from the French national team since 2015 due to his alleged involvement in a blackmail case against his former teammate Matteo Valbuena.
After years of insisting not to call up the Real Madrid striker, France coach Didier Deschamps retreated, and brought Benzema back to the national team before the European Nations finals last summer.
The 33-year-old striker produced an impressive performance in his second tournament with France, and was named the player of the year in yesterday's final.
"We will enjoy this title and then we will go to the World Cup (next year)," Benzema said, referring to his aspiration to lead France in the next World Cup in Qatar, and make up for his absence from the crowning of his companions in the World Cup Russia 2018.
Deschamps said that Benzema's contributions to the national team go beyond scoring goals. "Benzema is an important player and he has proven that over the past two games. This corresponds to what he is doing with Real Madrid. He is in great physical condition more than before, more mature, and has the desire to win." .
Deschamps clearly relies on Benzema to lead France's attack in the World Cup in Qatar, and said, "He is an important player for the future. Above his talent, his personality and mental strength are important factors at this level."
Benzema, who has scored 6 goals since returning to the national team, said, "I am proud of what I have been doing for a long time. Returning to the national team and winning makes me happy. This title increases my ambition for the future with the national team because this team has great potential."
The French newspaper "L'Equipe" gave Benzema the highest point in its assessment of the players in yesterday's match, and the communication sites praised the star of Algerian origin, who faced great criticism in the past because of a number of his positions, including not chanting the French anthem before the matches.
With the continued brilliance of Benzema in this season, the demands of the French fans increased to give him the Golden Ball, a demand that is also supported by the Real Madrid fans, who enjoy the distinguished performance of the star who scored 10 goals and awarded 7 assists in 10 matches in all competitions this season.
It is noteworthy that Benzema played 92 matches for the French national team, scoring 33 goals.