Zidane hopes potential France return will boost Benzema

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane believes Karim Benzema’s potential return to France’s national team will prove to be a boost for the attacker.

Benzema has been in international exile since being placed under formal investigation by French police in November 2015 over an alleged blackmail plot involving fellow international player Mathieu Valbuena.

However, French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet stated on Friday that the 29-year-old is available for selection by Didier Deschamps and Zidane thinks Benzema will relish the prospect of a France comeback.

Zidane said at a news conference: “Karim has been waiting for this for a long time, this public support. For them to open the doors is positive for him.

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“For me, he is one of the best French players, not because he plays for my team. And he can help the national team a lot.”

Zidane also had his say on the situation of Keylor Navas, with some fans calling for the goalkeeper to be dropped, and insisted the Costa Rica star remains a key figure for Madrid.

“I am very confident in Keylor, although we cannot control the comments from outside,” Zidane added.

“Can he do better? Of course, just as I can do better.

“But I have total confidence in my players and in Keylor.”