Benzema’s Algeria comments ‘were not what he meant’, says former agent

Karim Benzema’s former agent Karim Djaziri has sought to clarify comments the striker made 20 years ago about choosing France over Algeria, saying they were widely misunderstood.

Speaking to RMC, Djaziri defended the former France international and said the 2006 remarks referred only to the continuation of Benzema’s football career. His explanation offers further context, but does not entirely remove the discomfort caused by the original statement.

Benzema was still an emerging player at Olympique Lyonnais when he was asked about his international future in 2006. He had yet to make his senior debut for France and was also eligible to represent Algeria, the country of origin of his parents.

The comment prompted contrasting reactions in both countries. In France, some interpreted it as a rejection of the nation where Benzema had grown up. In Algeria, the words reflected a more complicated mixture of pride and disappointment: the country could claim his heritage, but would not see such a highly rated player wear the Fennecs shirt.

Asked whether the statement had been potentially offensive, Djaziri rejected that interpretation and insisted Benzema had been speaking about the sporting path he intended to follow.

That explanation may make sense in the context of a young player considering his career, but it does not fully address the wider significance attached to international football.

For many supporters in France, Algeria and elsewhere, representing a national team is about more than professional progression. It can express belonging, personal identity and an emotional connection to the colours being worn.

Against that background, Benzema’s wording could reasonably be viewed as clumsy. That does not mean he had to reject his Algerian roots in order to play for France. The two aspects of his identity are not mutually exclusive, and there is no evidence to suggest he felt no pride in representing Les Bleus.

However, Djaziri’s explanation, given two decades later, does not alter the impact the statement had at the time.

The comments resurfaced several times during Benzema’s international career, particularly when his relationship with France deteriorated. His problems with the national team were most notably shaped by the sextape affair and his tensions with Didier Deschamps, but the words he used as a young player continued to fuel questions about his connection with the French team.

Benzema ultimately made 97 appearances for France, scoring 37 goals. He also won the Nations League in 2021.