Algeria head coach Djamel Belmadi has said he does not need Real Madrid star Karim Benzema in his team because he is satisfied with the players at his disposal.
Karim Benzema’s hopes of a return to international football with Algeria has been dashed following the North African team’s head coach, Djamel Belmadi, saying he is okay with the players he has.
Read Also:Brazil Win FIFA U-17 World Cup
Benzema, 31, has not appeared for France since 2015 after he was charged with conspiracy to blackmail French team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape.
The Real Madrid striker missed Euro 2016 on home soil, and the triumphant World Cup last year and hit out at FFF president Noel Le Graet on Twitter over his international career.
“Noel, I thought you weren’t interfering with the coach’s decisions! I want you to know that I and I alone would end my international career. If you think I’m finished, let me play for one of the countries that I’m eligible for and we’ll see.”
But reacting to Benzema’s statement, Belmadi who led Algeria to this year’s, don’t see the need to bring the former Lyon man into the squad.
“I have (Baghdad) Bounedjah, Islam (Slimani), (Andy) Delort, (Hillal) Soudani.
I’m very happy with the players I have,” Djamel Belmadi told Algerian football website DZFoot.
Benzema’s ambitions of an international switch were always going to prove difficult under FIFA rules having made 81 appearances for France.
His last outing for the reigning world champions was at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
You Must logged in to add comments. Login
