Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema says he hopes to play for France at the European Championships next summer amid reports he will be banned pending the outcome of the blackmail case he is involved in.
The Les Bleus forward was arrested last month after an investigation linked him with a blackmail plot against Lyon and fellow France team mate Matieu Valbuena to get rid of a sex tape he features in.
Benzema was dropped from the squad for last month’s matches against Germany and England, and the Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, has gone public with his belief that Benzema should not play for the 1998 World Cup winners because he is not a good role model.
On Thursday, the French FA will give an update on the situation surrounding the case and according to some French media, will confirm Benzema’s exclusion from the team.
Speaking to Telefoot, the 27-year-old said: “My goal is to play in France’s team. It always has been and I do not want to stop. I’m not afraid [of not playing at Euro 2016] because there are too many things in life to be afraid of. I dream because it is the Euro, a great competition and it is in France.”
The striker, who scored twice for Los Blancos in the 4-1 win over Getafe at the weekend, added he retains the support of national team boss Didier Deschamps. He commented: “I had a message from Didier Deschamps. I often talk to him and he supports me. My family and other players support me.”
