The Ballon d’Or winner picked up an injury on the eve of the tournament (Picture: Getty)
Didier Deschamps declined to answer a question about the possibility of Karim Benzema rejoining the France squad in time for Sunday’s World Cup final against Argentina.
Les Bleus progressed to their second successive final – becoming the first team since Brazil in 1962 to manage the feat – after securing a 2-0 victory over Morocco on Wednesday evening.
Theo Hernandez put the holders ahead inside five minutes but they did not kill off the tie until the 79th minute when substitute Randal Kolo Muani tapped in from close range.
Olivier Giroud has had a fine tournament, netting four times, but he had an off night against Morocco and missed two gilt-edged chances to put his side out of sight in the first half.
He was subbed off after 65 minutes and replaced by Marcus Thuram, who provided extra energy and impetus for France on the left while Kylian Mbappe continued to be a menace playing through the middle.
Benzema, meanwhile, had to leave Qatar on the eve of the tournament with an injury but was never replaced in the squad, while he has now been pictured back in full training with Real Madrid.
In theory, there is nothing stopping the current Ballon d’Or holder from re-joining the France squad before Sunday’s showdown against Argentina, with some fans keen to see him replace Giroud in the starting XI.
Benzema, right, has been training with Real Madrid for the past week (Picture: Getty)
But Deschamps gave the subject short shrift when similar rumours surfaced earlier in the tournament and he point-blank refused to add any fuel to the speculation when asked about a possible return for Benzema after the win over Morocco.
Asked if the Real Madrid frontman could return to Qatar and play in the final, Deschamps replied bluntly at his post-match press conference: ‘I’d prefer to move on to the next question.’
Deschamps was also asked about Benzema during the group stages two weeks ago, replying at the time: ‘Wow. Well, I’m not sure [what to say], that’s really not something that I’m thinking about. You seem to know a lot about the situation but I haven’t really been following who has been saying what.
‘I talked to Karim after he left and you know the situation, and we heard how long it was going to take for him to recover.
‘So I don’t really know what you’re trying to imply. I have 24 players in my squad and I’m happy with the squad I have.
‘Some players are missing, [Presnel] Kimpembe and [Paul] Pogba are missing too, and of course I talk with them.
‘But it’s up to you if you want to speculate and imagine scenarios. That’s not what I’m focusing on at the moment.’
MORE : Morocco’s Sofyan Amrabat pleaded with France star to ‘just stop’ during World Cup clash
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World Cup 2022: your FAQs answered
The Ballon d’Or winner picked up an injury on the eve of the tournament and was never replaced.
