## What National Team Does Benzema Play For? Karim Benzema, the renowned French professional footballer, has been a prominent figure in the world of football for many years. As a striker for Real Madrid, one of the most successful clubs in the world, Benzema has consistently showcased his exceptional skills on the pitch. However, when it comes to representing his country, there has been some confusion and controversy surrounding his international career. ## Early Career and International Debut Benzema made his international debut for France in 2007, at the age of 20. He was just starting to make a name for himself at Lyon, one of the top clubs in France at the time. His impressive performances for both club and country quickly caught the attention of football fans around the world. ## The Controversy Surrounding Benzema's International Career In 2015, Benzema's international career took a dramatic turn. He was involved in a scandal surrounding a sex tape featuring a teenage girl and a friend of Benzema's, who was accused of blackmailing the girl. The incident led to Benzema being charged with complicity in the attempted blackmail. ## Consequences and Exile As a result of the scandal, Benzema was banned from playing for France for five years. The ban was later reduced to a three-year suspension, but it still meant that Benzema would miss out on several major international tournaments, including the 2016 European Championship. ## Return to the National Team In May 2021, coach Didier Deschamps recalled Benzema to the French national team, ahead of the 2020 European Championship (held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). This decision was seen as a surprise by many, given Benzema's past controversies and his relatively low profile in recent years. ## 2022 World Cup and Current Status Benzema was part of the French squad that won the 2022 UEFA Nations League. However, he has not played for France since then. Despite being one of the most talented strikers in the world, Benzema's international career has been marked by controversy and inconsistency. ## What National Team Does Benzema Play For? To answer the question directly: Karim Benzema plays for the France national team. He has been a part of the team on and off since his international debut in 2007 and has represented France in various international tournaments. ## Career Highlights and Achievements Throughout his career, Benzema has achieved numerous accolades and broken multiple records. Some of his notable achievements include: * **UEFA Champions League winner**: 2018, 2020, and 2022 * **La Liga winner**: 2012, 2017, and 2020 * **UEFA European Championship runner-up**: 2016 * **FIFA World Cup winner**: 2018 (did not play due to injury) ## Conclusion In conclusion, Karim Benzema plays for the France national team. Despite the controversies and setbacks he has faced throughout his international career, Benzema remains one of the most talented and prolific strikers in the world. His achievements on the pitch speak for themselves, and he continues to be an important player for both Real Madrid and France. ## Key Facts Here are some key facts about Karim Benzema's international career: * **International debut**: 2007 * **Number of caps**: 97 * **Goals scored**: 37 * **Major tournaments**: 2008 European Championship, 2010 World Cup, 2012 European Championship, 2014 World Cup, 2016 European Championship, 2018 World Cup, 2020 European Championship, 2022 World Cup Overall, Benzema's international career has been marked by both brilliance and controversy. Despite the challenges he has faced, he remains a vital player for France and continues to be a force to be reckoned with on the pitch.