Dechamps Rules Out Benzema For Qatar World Cup Final

Didier Deschamps has ruled Karim Benzema out of making a remarkable comeback to the France squad for the World Cup final on Sunday.

The Ballon d’Or winner’s World Cup journey came crashing down after he suffered a thigh injury in training.

Benzema’s return to training for Real Madrid fuelled prospects of the French forward making an incredible comeback.

But speaking at a press conference in Doha ahead of France’s World Cup final against Argentina tomorrow, Deschamps said: ‘Some players have been injured and Karim Benzema is one of them and Lucas Hernandez got injured in the first game.

‘From that point on, I have 24 players in my squad and they are the ones at my disposal, so I don’t think it is fair to those players to ask about players who aren’t here.

‘It is not up to me to decide who comes to watch the game, former players or injured players, I focus on my squad and the players at my disposal.

‘We have lost three Christopher Nkunku, Karim Benzema and Lucas Hernandez and I lost them even though they were in the squad to begin with.

‘So now I am focusing on my 24-man squad and they are the ones I will have at my disposal tomorrow.’

Deschamps has cut a frustrated figure when asked by reporters this week about Benzema returning.

On Thursday, he sighed when asked about the Real Madrid star returning and told reporters: ‘I don’t want to answer that’.

The following day it emerged that Benzema was reportedly furious with the France manager.

Part of his frustration with Deschamps was that he reportedly did not leave the camp by his own free will and was ‘sent off’ by the manager.

Rumours circulated about a return because Benzema is still a registered member of the squad and would be a world champion if France retain their trophy from 2018.

But the French forward hit back last night as he appeared to snub Les Bleus in an Instagram post.

He posted a very unimpressed selfie on Instagram with a caption that read: ‘I’m not interested.’

The background noise comes as France prepare for a huge final with Argentina where they will look to claim their third World Cup title.

But Deschamps must contest with a virus that has broken out among the French squad.

Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano were forced to miss out the semi-final win over Morocco with sickness, before Raphael Varane, Ibrahima Konate and Kingsley Coman were unable to train on Friday.

Speaking about the virus, Deschamps said: ‘We are trying to manage this as best as we can and remain calm and focused.

We are doing our best to take precautions and adapt and live with it without going too far but doing what is necessary. We would have preferred not to face this but are managing it as best as we can.’