Benzema Ends His Career With France

Benzema Ends His Career With France

PARIS: Ballon D’Or winner Karim Benzema announced he was ending his international career overnight, a day after France lost in the World Cup final to Argentina.

Benzema, who scored 37 goals in 97 appearances for France, withdrew from the World Cup squad before the first leg in Qatar because of a left thigh injury sustained in training.

In the surprise announcement, the 35-year-old Real Madrid player said on Twitter: “I tried and the mistakes made to get me to where I am today and I’m proud of it! I’ve written my story and our relationship is over.”

Benzema, who won the Ballon d’Or award as the world’s best player in October, is desperate to feature at this World Cup after failing to qualify when France won the world title in Russia four years ago.

He was left out of the French squad for five and a half years due to his involvement in a coup scandal involving team mate Mathieu Valbuena.

For the Qatar World Cup, coach Didier Deschamps chose not to call up another replacement in the squad led by 23-year-old Kylian Mbappe.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Mbappe won the Golden Boot by eight goals, including a hat-trick in the penalty shoot-out against Argentina after being tied 3-3 in added time.

Benzema, who exploded in his March 2007 debut against Austria, has not enjoyed glory for France except for the 2021 Nations League.

He has clashed with Deschamps several times because it is said he is of Algerian descent and at one point his French coaching background is “ethnic” for not listing his name.

German Football Needs Urgent Change

German Football Needs Urgent Change

AL KHOR, Qatar: Coach Hansi Flick is urging an immediate change in Germany’s youth football development, after a “big disappointment” exit in the group stages for the second successive World Cup.

Despite thrashing Costa Rica 4-2 earlier this morning, Germany were eliminated through the difference after Japan pulled off a huge surprise beating Spain 2-1 in yet another action of the group during a thrilling night in Qatar.

Before the match, 1990 World Cup winner and former Germany manager Juergen Klinsmann said another failure in the group stage would mean “ten times the disaster” compared to their initial elimination in Russia four years ago.

As much as Klinsmann’s concerns became a reality, Flick said Germany needed drastic changes in its youth development system to stay competitive with other countries.

Flick, who took over from Joachim Loew after last year’s European Championships, said Germany needed to follow the example of other nations if they were to improve, citing Spain as an example.

Acknowledging there was a “big disappointment” in the delivery room, Flick said: “We have players who are playing for big clubs and we also have quality (but) I believe for the future of German football we need to practice a different style of training.”

“For many years we talked about a new goalkeeper, a new winger, but what was often good (before) we were able to defend well, this element we want to maintain.

“We need to go back to basics. Even if Spain lose, we should look at them. Spain is very good in defense, they are focused on training young players and they are also sharpening their attack part.”

When Germany is due to host the Euros in 2024, Flick also suggested the team needed to make a generational change.

“It’s very important to focus on a new generation of football,” he said. “There are many good players for the future, but for the next 10 years it’s very important we make the right decisions from now on.”

Arsenal Back At The Top Of EPL

Arsenal Back At The Top Of EPL

LONDON: Reiss Nelson performed brilliantly as he helped Arsenal return to the top of the English Premier League by beating Nottingham Forest 5-0.

Nelson was introduced for the first time in the English Premier League this season after Bukayo Saka was forced off.

Saka assisted Gabriel Martinelli’s opener in the fifth minute before being replaced with an ankle injury.

Nelson scored his first Premier League goal since July 2020 early in the second half, and added three minutes later before setting up Thomas Partey’s goal.

“It couldn’t have been better for me after coming on. Once the goal was scored, it was a pretty great game.

“I’ve been working hard in training, waiting for the opportunity to play and I’m glad I got it,” Nelson said.

Martin Odegaard completed Arsenal’s victory with 13 minutes remaining.

The win lifted Mikel Arteta’s squad one point ahead of Manchester City.

“It’s good to be there. It’s always difficult to win in this league and today we face a difficult game after playing in Europe, and I think the team responded well,” said Arteta.

Arsenal players also showed support for teammate Pablo Mari before kick-off.

Mari, who is on loan at Monza, was stabbed with a knife while with his family in a supermarket in Italy last week.

It’s been a miserable week for Arsenal after a 1-1 draw at Southampton and then a 2-0 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League.

Maguire Back To Strengthened United’s Defense

Maguire Back To Strengthened United’s Defense

LONDON: Harry Maguire is ready to return to Manchester United, thus increasing his chances of playing with the England squad at the Qatar 2022 World Cup next month.

The United captain has been sidelined since a month ago due to a hamstring injury when the Three Lions squad drew 3-3 with Germany in the Nations League.

However, the defender is scheduled to return to full training this week after missing seven games with the team and his ‘return’ appears timely for manager Erik ten Hag after fellow defender Raphael Varane suffered a similar injury against Chelsea on Saturday. then.

In the meantime, England manager Gareth Southgate can also breathe a sigh of relief to see Maquire’s comeback in Qatar later when Varane is likely to miss action with the French team at the World Cup.

“History is not on Raphael’s side and we will all miss him. He has been at the best level of the game since I have been here. Right now, we just have to wait and see what happens with his injury and how long it takes for him to recover.

“But as a team, we will give him full support,” said teammate Christian Eriksen.

Varane’s absence hints that Maguire has a bright chance to show his ability after United were dropped in the first two games of the season and only started once in the Europa League.

He now hopes to play the remaining Premier League games before joining Southgate’s national team.

Mbappe: I Never Asked To Leave PSG

Mbappe: I Never Asked To Leave PSG

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) star Kylian Mbappe insists he “never asked to leave” the Qatari-owned club in January despite reports that he is looking for an exit as soon as possible.

“I’m very happy. I never asked to leave in January,” he said after PSG’s 1-0 win over Marseille while insisting he was not “directly or indirectly affected” by rumors about his future that have circulated this week.

It was the first time the France star had spoken publicly since reports said he wanted to leave the club for Spain ahead of the Champions League clash with Benfica.

The rumor was then reported by various media in France.

“I don’t understand why the story came out on the day of the match. I was as surprised as everyone else,” said Mbappe.

“People can think I’m involved, but I’m not at all.”

However, several sources confirmed that Mbappe wanted to leave PSG because it came from those close to the player.

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