Karim Benzema has given fresh insight into Zinedine Zidane’s future as Real Madrid manager, after weeks of speculation that he could step down this summer.
Though they took the title race to the final day, Real failed to win La Liga after cross-town rivals Atletico Madrid held their nerve and beat Valladolid at the weekend.
Beaten by Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals and by third-division side Alcoyano in the Copa del Rey, Los Blancos have finished the season trophyless for the first time since 2010.
That has led to conflicting reports about ZIdane’s intentions this summer, with many suggesting that he could walk away like he did after winning his third consecutive Champions League title back in 2018. Zidane has a year left on his current contract, but there’s certainly a precedent for him deciding to leave on his own terms.
According to Benzema, however, he may still surprise people. Speaking to L’Equipe in light of his France recall ahead of Euro 2020, he suggested that Zidane will still be in charge at the Bernabeu next season.
“Zizou has always been sincere with me,” he said. “I respect him a lot because he is very direct with me. He gives me a lot of confidence on the pitch.
“As of now, Zidane is Real Madrid ’s coach. I don’t see him leaving.
“He won’t leave, you’ll see. If he leaves, he leaves but, for the moment, I don’t see a Madrid without Zidane.”
Benzema was among the players who continued to deliver for Zidane over the course of the season, scoring 30 goals in all competitions. That earned him a recall to the France set-up after a long spell in the international wilderness .
Asked about Real’s trophyless season, he said: “I do not agree when people say that it is the fault of the group because we had 60 injuries.
“At no time were we able to play with all our players… it has been a complicated season.
“But we reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and we fought to the end in La Liga. We could have won it all, but we lost it.”
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As for his return to international duty, Benzema recalled the moment he received his call-up. “It was a very special day last Tuesday,” he said. “I had a lot of hope.
“It showed that many were waiting for my return. And I was very very happy with the call.
“I was at my home in Madrid. I received many messages throughout the morning.
“The buzz was increasing and it seemed like the event of the day.
“I was waiting a long time in front of the television with my relatives and my parents on the phone… it was a feeling of joy and pride.
“I quickly remembered all those moments when I had never given up. It was a little shock, it has been a long time.”
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