On a Thursday evening in April 2026, Karim Benzema appeared in a live Instagram session with French rapper Rohff, where he was once again questioned about a potential return to the French national team. The 38-year-old striker, currently playing for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, did not dismiss the idea, instead leaving the door slightly ajar under one condition: if a spot becomes available and he maintains his physical condition.
“If I continue to perform and stay in shape, we never realize,” Benzema said during the livestream, as reported by multiple French outlets including Le Parisien and Le 10 Sport. “In any case, I’m doing everything to stay in shape if a spot opens up.”
The comments echo sentiments he expressed earlier in December 2025 in L’Équipe, where he stated that every player dreams of playing in a World Cup and that refusing a call-up under such circumstances would make him a liar. At that time, he was referring to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Benzema last wore the French jersey in late 2022, announcing his international retirement after withdrawing from the World Cup squad in Qatar due to injury. Since then, he has not been selected for any national team matches, despite remaining active at the club level with spells at Al-Ittihad and now Al-Hilal.
The speculation around his potential return has been fueled by the anticipated transition in the French national team setup. Didier Deschamps, who has led Les Bleus since 2012, is expected to step down after the 2026 World Cup. Zinedine Zidane, the 1998 Ballon d’Or winner and former Real Madrid manager, is widely regarded as the leading candidate to succeed him.
Benzema and Zidane shared a successful tenure at Real Madrid, where the striker evolved under the Frenchman’s guidance into one of the most complete forwards in the world. Their on-field chemistry and off-field rapport have frequently been cited as a potential catalyst for a national team reunion.
“Zizou and Benzema, a special relationship,” noted Le Parisien in its coverage, highlighting the mutual respect between the two. The outlet recalled Benzema’s December 2025 remarks, which had already sparked debate among fans and pundits about the possibility of a comeback.
As of April 2026, Benzema continues to play regularly for Al-Hilal, having joined the club in the summer of 2026 after a stint with Al-Ittihad. According to his official profile, he was born on December 19, 1987, in Lyon, France, and began his professional career with Olympique Lyonnais before moving to Real Madrid in 2009, where he spent over a decade and won numerous titles, including four UEFA Champions League trophies.
His international record stands at 97 appearances and 37 goals for France, spanning from 2007 to 2022. He was part of the squad that won the 2021 UEFA Nations League and finished as runners-up in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Despite his absence from the national team over the past three years, Benzema has consistently emphasized his commitment to staying fit and ready. During the April 2026 livestream, he reiterated that he trains rigorously and monitors his condition closely, leaving open the possibility of a recall should circumstances align.
The French Football Federation (FFF) has not made any official comment regarding Zidane’s potential appointment or any discussions about Benzema’s return. Selection policies remain under Deschamps’ authority until the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.
For now, Benzema’s focus remains on his club duties in Saudi Arabia, where he continues to contribute as a key attacking presence for Al-Hilal. Whether his words will translate into a actual recall remains uncertain, but they have certainly reignited conversation among supporters who remember his peak years in a French jersey.
The next major milestone in this narrative will be the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after which the future of the French national team bench is expected to be clarified. Until then, any potential return for Karim Benzema remains speculative — conditional on both his form and a vacancy in the squad.
As always, the situation will depend on official announcements from the FFF and the player’s own availability. For now, the striker’s message is clear: he is not closing the door, but he is not forcing it open either.
If you have thoughts on Benzema’s potential return or the future of the French national team, feel free to share them in the comments below. Don’t forget to share this article with fellow fans who’ve been following the story.
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