The Real Madrid forward was one of several stars Deschamps was forced to leave at home as the French World Cup squad headed to Qatar. But unlike players such as N’Golo Kanté and Paul Pogba, Karim Benzema was kept in the team – something that has fueled speculation.
This week, the information has spread that Benzema’s injured thigh is completely healed, and that it is possible to include him in the team for Sunday’s World Cup final against Argentina.
But adding the matcho-trained Ballon d’Or winner to the squad doesn’t seem to be the case.
Deschamps is rather surprised to be asked questions about a player who is not in place in Qatar, and who has not been part of taking France all the way to the World Cup final.
— Several players have been injured and Karim is one of them. Since then I have had 24 players available. Asking this question is a bit rude towards them, said Didier Deschamps at Saturday’s press conference.
— There will be 24 players tomorrow.
Benzema himself has not commented on the matter, but sent a difficult-to-interpret message via Instagram on Friday:
“It doesn’t interest me,” the post read succinctly to an accompanying selfie.