Mathieu Valbuena says he will have no problem playing in the same team as Karim Benzema, despite an ongoing legal case involving the France team-mates.
Benzema faces charges relating to an alleged blackmail over a sex-tape in which Valbuena is said to feature, but the Lyon midfielder told Le Monde that “the group comes above individuals.”
“I’ve never had a problem playing with [Benzema],” he added. “On the contrary, I’ve played with plenty of people I didn’t get along with, especially at Marseille.”
"So I can play with Benzema again. But, he wouldn't be my best friend, that is for sure."
— OL News / English (@OLNews_eng) November 27, 2015
According to the interview, which has been translated into English by the Olympique Lyonnais News Twitter account, Valbuena fears for his place in the France squad for Euro 2016.
"I've had no support from the federation. When one doesn't know what is in the affair, defending KB, ok, but talk about me too!"
— OL News / English (@OLNews_eng) November 27, 2015
He described being omitted from the squad to face England and Germany as “like a double sanction”, but hopes things have changed by the time the European Championships roll around in June.
As for Benzema’s involvement in the sextape case itself, Valbuena admits to being “beyond disappointed” in the Real Madrid forward, while speculating that a video may have been stolen when an acquaintance was doing work on his mobile phone.
The case continues.
MV, about KB: "I can only be very, very, disappointed & note that the relationship with him is not as sincere as he may have let on."
— OL News / English (@OLNews_eng) November 27, 2015
