At the Stade de France,

There is a paradox in crowning the individual in a collective sport, especially when his team has lost.

But a player as exceptional as Karim Benzema deserves a derogation.

Haloed by his fifth European title with Real Madrid, the French striker floats with a lightness specific to champions in a state of grace.

His 50th goal of the season during the defeat of the Blues against Denmark (1-2), a perfect combination of technical mastery and mischief, is there to testify.

So let's move forward the Ballon d'Or ceremony, what's the point of waiting any longer, the dice are cast.

At 34, the Nueve is the best player in the world and no one comes close to his level in 2022. Except maybe Kylian Mbappé.

Speaking of the French attacking duo, and at the risk of disappointing the bewildered Chiringuito who sold us a friendly breakup without any foundation, the two attackers distinguished themselves by their complicity in the first period.

The Parisian almost offered the opener to his ex-future teammate in conclusion of a high-flying combination if the good alignment of the Danish defense had not put Benzema in an offside position.

On the other hand, this could not do anything to slow down KB19, who, after relying on Nkunku, caught three Danes before adjusting Kasper Schmeichel.

A gesture for which he was congratulated in the mixed zone, praise to which the Frenchman was sensitive to the point of revealing a shy smile behind his beard.

“It's true that it's a good goal, but I would have preferred the victory.

"It's a shame after leading in the score, thanks to the superb action of Karim (Benzema), not to have done what was necessary to keep this result and even amplify it", almost apologized Guy Stéphan in conference release, as if tainting the masterpiece was less forgivable than the defeat itself.

Benzema does not overwhelm T. Hernandez

And then, for that matter, if there were any apologies to make to his majesty, it would have been more logical for these to come from Théo Hernandez, the blanket man, the plaid man, call- it as you wish.

Impeccable or almost so far since his debut in the Blues, the AC Milan side will have cost France two goals on doubly unforgivable alignment errors: one because it is unworthy of the international level and two because the pistons naturally playing higher than the other three defenders, it is the last to have the right to hang out at the back of the pack.

However, Benzema was particularly elegant in his refusal to "incriminate anyone" and to involve the whole collective in Friday's sinking.

And he doesn't really look downcast by his first loss in regulation time since his return to Blue.

"I don't feel anything special, that's how it is, that's football".

Legs weighed down by an endless schedule, the Nueve still has psychological resources.

“There are three games left, it's mental.

If you want to keep running, you have to work on your mind.

Afterwards, the physical will follow.

The few blunt Frenchmen like Antoine Griezmann, at the end of their rope past the hour mark, would do well to take inspiration from it.

France - Denmark: Relive the defeat of the Blues against the Danes at the opening of the League of Nations (1-2)

  • France football team

  • Denmark

  • Nations League

  • Karim Benzema

  • Sport