France boss Didier Deschamps refused to be drawn on speculation that Karim Benzema could make himself available for Sunday's World Cup 2022 final against Argentina.
After being named in Les Bleus' initial 26-man squad for the tournament, Benzema was ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injury just days before France's opening game.
But it has been reported that the striker – who recently won the Ballon d'Or – has been cleared by Real Madrid to join up with his national team in Qatar.
And as he was included in the original squad and not replaced – such was how late he had to withdraw – the 34-year-old would be eligible to play in the final.
His manager refused to comment on talk that he could do just that, however. Speaking to the media after France's 2-0 semi-final win over Morocco, Deschamps simply responded: "I don't really want to answer that question; next question, sorry."
Even if Benzema is fit, the question has to be asked: do France really need him? They've made it to their second successive World Cup without him, spurred on by the scintillating form of Kylian Mbappe – who's set for a mouth-watering showdown with Lionel Messi.
Sitting on five goals, Mbappe is tied with Messi in the Golden Boot standings; France's other goals have been scored by Olivier Giroud (4), Adrien Rabiot, Aurelien Tchouameni, Theo Hernandez and Randal Kolo Muani.
