France boss Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Karim Benzema will not make a return to the squad for Sunday's 2022 World Cup final with Argentina.
Benzema picked up a thigh injury in training ahead of the tournament, which saw him leave Qatar in order to undergo a recovery programme with Real Madrid.
The 34-year-old has since returned to full fitness, and it has recently been suggested that the striker could be back on the bench for the final against Argentina on Sunday.
Speaking after Wednesday's 2-0 win over Morocco in the semi-finals, Deschamps refused to rule out a return for the Real Madrid centre-forward.
"I don't really want to answer that question. Next question. I do apologise," he said when asked whether Benzema could head back to Qatar amid the recent rumours.
However, the France head coach has now confirmed that the striker will not be returning for the final.
"I have players who have been injured before. Karim is one of them. The last to be injured is Lucas Hernandez," Deschamps told reporters.
"Since then, I have 24 players to manage. Asking the question vis-à-vis (with regard to) these players, it's awkward to say the least, if not a little more. The group is there.
"I don't care about invitations from players, former players or injured players. I don't know who will be there.
"We had a group at the start and who, from what happened... we lost three, with [Christopher] Nkunku at the beginning. They were part of the beginning of the adventure. They will be 24 important players for France tomorrow."
Benzema has had a number of injury problems during the 2022-23 campaign, but he has still made 12 appearances for Real Madrid this term, scoring six goals.
The forward was missing for his side's last four La Liga matches ahead of the break for the World Cup due to a muscular problem, with his last minutes coming against Celtic at the start of November.
Benzema has scored 37 goals in 97 appearances for France, but Olivier Giroud has thrived in his absence, scoring four times in Qatar.
The 36-year-old has also now become his country's all-time leading goalscorer with 53, passing Thierry Henry during the competition.
France topped Group D to advance to the knockout round of the competition, where they have beaten Poland, England and Morocco to progress to Sunday's final. body check tags ::
