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Real Madrid defends Zidane and Benzema and attacks FFF president

César Suárez
Zidane and Benzema (right and second from right), criticised by FFF president, defended by Real Madrid
Zidane and Benzema (right and second from right), criticised by FFF president, defended by Real MadridAFP
The statements of the president of the French Football Federation (FFF), Nöel Le Graët, against Zinedine Zidane, and also against Karim Benzema, have been repudiated by French players and ex-players, but also by Real Madrid, the club where Zizou made history as a player and coach.

The reaction of a club like Real, where Zidane is (as he should be in his country) a legend, could not be missing. And legends are taken care of.

That is precisely what Real Madrid have done with a harsh statement against Le Graët, who already attacked the Ballon d'Or winner Benzema, and who now does it even more harshly, and without even mentioning it, against Zidane. 

This is the communiqué of the white entity:  

"Real Madrid C. F. laments the unfortunate comments made by the president of the French Football Federation, Nöel Le Graët, regarding Zinedine Zidane, one of the world's biggest sporting legends.

These remarks show a lack of respect for one of the most admired figures by football fans around the world and our club is awaiting an immediate correction. Zinedine Zidane, World and European champion representing his country, amongst many other honours, he embodies the values of the sport and has proven this throughout his professional career as a player and as a coach.

The statements by the president of the French Football Federation are inappropriate for someone holding such representation and are in themselves unsuitable, like those he also made about our captain Karim Benzema, current Ballon d'Or, Nations League champion with France in 2021 and winner of 5 Champions Leagues, amongst many other honours."

Kylian Mbappé, star of the French national team and a self-confessed admirer of Zidane, was one of the first to respond to Le Graët. He was followed by legends such as Ribéry, Djorkaeff and Cissé. Messages of support for the Franco-Algerian have also come from the political sphere.