Kylian Mbappe took to social media to react to the return of Karim Benzema to the French international setup this evening, with the youngster’s post having since sparked something of a frenzy.
Benzema returns
The subject of France’s squad for the upcoming European Championships has of course taken centre stage online on Tuesday.
This comes with Didier Deschamps having sifted through the remarkable pool of talent at his disposal across Europe, to decide on the 26 players set to represent the world champions at next month’s tournament.
A whole host of high-profile names inevitably missed out, including the likes of Anthony Martial, Tanguy Ndombele, Ferland Mendy, Houssem Aouar and Dayot Upamecano.
Selected, on the other hand, is a star-studded 26-man panel.
Les Bleus regulars Hugo Lloris, Raphael Varane, N’Golo Kante, Paul Pogba and Antoine Griezmann, as expected, will all be handed the chance to add to their international silverware collection this summer.
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JULY 15: Antoine Griezmann of France celebrates with the World Cup Trophy following his sides victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Without doubt the most noteworthy inclusion, though, comes in the form of Karim Benzema.
Real Madrid hitman Benzema has not featured for his country since 2015, on the back of a widely publicised sex tape dispute involving then-international teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
But all, on the part of Didier Deschamps at least, appears to have been forgiven, with the 33-year-old officially back amongst Les Bleus’ ranks for the Euros:
🚨 | EURO 2020 squad:
GK: Lloris, Mandanda, Maignan
DEF: Dubois, Pavard, Zouma, Koundé, Varane, Lenglet, Kimpembe, Digne, L.Hernandez
MID: Kanté, Pogba, Rabiot, Tolisso, Sissoko
ATT: Benzema, Giroud, Mbappé, Thuram, Coman, Ben Yedder, Griezmann, Lemar, O.Dembélé— Get French Football News (@GFFN) May 18, 2021
Mbappe sends tongues wagging
One individual, meanwhile, who was particularly keen to welcome Benzema back from the island of international solitude, was Kylian Mbappe.
Taking to Twitter on the back of France’s squad being made official, the PSG sensation posted a digital picture of himself and the veteran celebrating together:
KB x KM 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/72smmr87f2
— Kylian Mbappé (@KMbappe) May 18, 2021
And, as outlined above, whether intentionally or not, Mbappe’s social media activity has since given rise to a swift wave of rumours and speculation.
Taking to the comments section of the attacker’s tweet, fans and media outlets alike highlighted the Real Madrid connection, amid the suggestion that Mbappe, a known long-term target of Los Blancos, is eyeing up a future partnership with Benzema at club level:
I know you are coming to Real Madrid
— Anderson (@andersoonx_) May 18, 2021
Agent Benzema & Varane will be on duty during Euros! pic.twitter.com/8kTEGaDzuK
— TheRMadridTV (@TheRMadridTV) May 18, 2021
KB x KM 🤍🤍 pic.twitter.com/v8Rg7jfaKX
— سلطان (@su6an_1) May 18, 2021
Madrid awaits you together 🤍 pic.twitter.com/Qkw2tIdIFY
— برلين (@HFC85) May 18, 2021
Looking to see you together in best club in history @realmadrid
— محمد الكواري (@BoArhama) May 18, 2021
This summer and next season?
— Managing Madrid (@managingmadrid) May 18, 2021
Looks good!
But do you know, what what would look even better? 👇 pic.twitter.com/3kIhFFXvuN
— Nils Kern (@nilskern17) May 18, 2021
SOON 🔜🤍 pic.twitter.com/Pnr5eYoMnf
— Real Madrid CF 🇪🇸 (@RealMadrid_GO) May 18, 2021
🚨🌖| Kylian Mbappé has been very tempted by a departure from PSG since 2019. He loves PSG but he’s also very attracted to prestigious European clubs like Real Madrid and Liverpool and can see himself playing for them. 🇫🇷 @le_Parisien #rmalive pic.twitter.com/ywD8hS1YoX
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) May 18, 2021
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