Karim Benzema ‘could reverse the decision to retire from France’ if Zinedine Zidane replaces Didier Deschamps as manager

KARIM BENZEMA could reverse his international retirement if Zinedine Zidane becomes France’s boss, reports claim.

The striker announced on Monday that his time with the national team was “over”.

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Real Madrid ace Benzema, 35, missed the World Cup after being sidelined with a hamstring injury on the eve of the tournament.

There were rumors Benzema would rejoin the squad for the final until he apparently brutally shut himself out with a social media post.

France were beaten on penalties by Argentina in the final, raising doubts about Didier Deschamps’ future as manager.

And French outlet Foot Mercato say Benzema could change his mind about stepping down if Deschamps is replaced by Zidane.

Deschamps, 54, will reportedly meet French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet in January to decide his future.

The former midfielder has been the national team’s gaffer for the past decade and his contract expires on December 31.

Le Graet and French President Emmanuel Macron are said to both want Deschamps to remain as boss.

While a decision has yet to be made, according to L’Equipe, Deschamps wants a contract that runs until the end of the next World Cup in 2026 if he stays.

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But if he leaves, Zidane has been linked with the role in recent months.

The 50-year-old has been unemployed since leaving Real Madrid last year.

Zidane and Benzema had great success working together at the Bernabeu, winning three Champions League titles.

And it’s believed Zidane could lure Benzema out of international retirement if he took over from Deschamps.

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos said, according to Diario AS: “I definitely think that Zizou would not only be a good successor but the best possible successor.

“The big question is: what does Didier Deschamps want? I would say Zizou has a 70/30 chance of becoming France’s new manager.

“I think he really wants to get back on the training ground.”

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