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The soccer world is in turmoil this Monday, January 9, 2023, because of the comments of the president of the French soccer federation Noël Le Graët on the French technician Zinedine Zidane. But the truth is that it is not the only one on whom the president has spoken. Since the management of the Benzema case during the World Cup Qatar 2022 was also mentioned. And on the subject, the position of the leader did not please Real Madrid at all.
Nöel Le Graët is in the center of attention since last Sunday because of his words against two actors of the French soccer world: Zidane and Karim Benzema. Since everyone is focusing on the French technician to tackle the leader, there is the case of Benzema to consider, which Real Madrid remembered in wanting to comment on the subject. As a reminder, in his interview with RMC Sport, Noël Le Graët mentioned the management of the Benzema case during the World Cup.
The words of Noël Le Graët on Zidane and Benzema which is a source of controversy:
On the French technician: “Zidane in Brazil? I don’t care at all. If he had contacted me to coach the French national team, I wouldn’t have picked up the phone. Make a special program for him to find a club,” said Le Graët in an interview with RMC.
On Benzema: “He was injured, unfortunately he left, I regret it. I admire Benzema’s career, he had the best year of his life and his career. Unfortunately, in the first or second training session, he had a setback. I have great admiration for him. What does his entourage say? I don’t care. The medical staff did what was necessary. We had 24 players and we ended up with 24, so the staff did a good job. Benzema returned to training when the competition was over, not before. That said, it’s a shame. While I was thinking that maybe Giroud wouldn’t have played and maybe we wouldn’t have scored as many goals.”
Real Madrid’s full statement on Noël Le Graët’s comments on Zidane and Benzema:
“Real Madrid C. F. regrets the unfortunate statements of the president of the French Football Federation, Nöel Le Graët, about Zinedine Zidane, one of the greatest legends of world sport.
These words are disrespectful to one of the most admired figures in soccer around the world and our club expects an immediate rectification. Zinedine Zidane, winner of the World Cup and European champion defending his country’s shirt, among many other titles, represents the values of sport and has demonstrated this throughout his professional career as a player and coach.
The statements of the president of the French Football Federation are unworthy of someone who occupies this representation and are disqualifying in themselves, just like those he also makes about our captain Karim Benzema, current Ballon d’Or winner, Nations League champion with France in 2021 and winner of 5 Champions League, among many other titles.”
