Former president of France has been speaking about Karim Benzema

Benzema had said that Didier Deschamps would not invite him to the national team because if he let the 32-year-old striker into the national team, he would be pressured by French racists.

“

Political pressure in the Benzema decision

?” Hollande told L’Equipe in comments carried by 

. “

Nobody put pressure on it. I told the members of the government they can have their point of view on the matter, but the only possible thing to do is allow the coach to make the decision

.

“It’s Deschamps who chose other players and didn’t take Benzema for reasons that were purely sporting, it’s true. Benzema is a great footballer and you just have to see what he does at Real Madrid. But I won’t get into that story. The process hasn’t finished. I’ll only say that Benzema is a great footballer.”

However, many believe that Benzema should be invited to the national team, as he has been one of the best strikers in Europe in recent seasons. The 32-year-old striker scored 21 goals for Real Madrid last season as they wrestled La Liga back from Barcelona.

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