KARIM BENZEMA has reportedly cut off all contact with the French national team.
The striker, 34, was named in the 26-man France squad for the World Cup prior to the tournament.
AFPBenzema has cut all ties with the French national team[/caption]
AFPHe is claimed to be furious with Deschamps[/caption]
But, he was sent home after sustaining a thigh injury during the team’s first training session in Doha last month.
Despite the injury, Benzema was initially confident that he would return to full fitness by the round-of-16, but according to L’Equipe, France manager Didier Deschamps and doctor Franck Le Gall did not see the point in re-introducing him to the squad.
As a result, Benzema has furiously claimed that he was forced out of the squad.
He even rejected the chance to fly out to Qatar to watch his teammates in the World Cup final against Argentina.
L’Equipe is now reporting that the Real Madrid star has subsequently cut off all contact with the France staff.
And according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, he is unlikely to play for France again with Deschamps as manager.
Benzema and Deschamps have been embroiled in a long-term feud, dating back to the striker’s five-year omission from the national team.
The Ballon d’Or winner was left out of France’s Euro 2016 and 2018 World Cup squads after falling out with the Blues boss.
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But, he was eventually recalled for Euro 2020.
Benzema has scored 37 goals in 97 appearances for France since making his international debut in 2007.
However, he has not been missed so far in the World Cup, with Olivier Giroud stepping up to the plate and becoming France’s all-time top goalscorer in the process.