The full France Euro 2020 squad has been announced – including a call up for Karim Benzema, who has been out of the team for almost six years
(Image credit: PA)
The France Euro 2020 squad has been confirmed, and includes a shock inclusion for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.
Benzema has not played for his country since 2015, following his arrest over the alleged blackmail of fellow French player Mathieu Valbuena. He accused French coach Didier Deschamps of bowing to racist pressure after dropping him, and it was confirmed that he would stand trial over the incident earlier this year.
But after several years at the top of his game for Real Madrid, he is Deschamps 26-man squad for Euro 2020.
Having won the World Cup three years ago, Deschamps has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal, and left out a number of high-profile players, including Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy and Tottenham's Tanguy NDombele.
Former player and captain of France Didier Deschamps manages France, and is only the third ever person to win the World Cup as both a player and manager - behind Mario Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer.
The 52-year-old became France manager nearly a decade ago, in 2012. Following spells at Monaco, Juventus and Marseille as manager, Deschamps joined a disjointed France side. Since, the former diminutive midfielder has transformed the nation into World Cup winners and European Championship finalists, though he will be looking to rectify that 2016 final loss.
France Euro 2020 squad: Who is France's star player?
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Kylian Mbappe has emerged in recent years as France's best player for not only the future, but also the present day. Taking over the mantle from Antoine Griezmann, Mbappe is setting Europe alight with his displays for PSG, and is still just 22-years-old. The forward revels playing in France's forward line, combining with Griezmann.
Mbappe has scored 16 goals in 42 appearances for France, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Already a World Cup winner, the Frenchman will look to add the missing European Championship to his trophy collection. With players such as Griezmann, Paul Pogba, Raphael Varane and Hugo Lloris, he is certainly in a brilliant position to do so.
France's past Euros record
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After hosting the inaugural tournament in 1960, France didn't qualify for the Euros again until Euro 84, when they won championship. However, they surprisingly didn't qualify for the 1988 iteration of the tournament, and could only reach the group stages in 1992.
A third place finish in Euro 96 was followed up by another win in the tournament at Euro 2000, when David Trezeguet scored in extra-time as France beat Italy 2-1.
France finished in the quarter-finals at both Euro 2004 and 2012, while 2008 signalled discontent among the squad as they once again couldn't progress from the group stages.
Hosting Euro 2016, France believed it the perfect time to win their third European Championships. Reaching the final, Les Bleus were clear favourites against a weakened Portugal team after Cristiano Ronaldo limped off injured. However, they lost the final in extra-time, much to the displeasure of the home fans. France will no doubt look to rectify that mistake, especially following their 2018 World Cup win.
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