Didier Deschamps told for the first time why Karim Benzema left the French national team camp on the eve of the 2022 World Cup

The head coach of the French national team, Didier Deschamps, told why striker Karim Benzema left the national team's camp before the start of the 2022 World Cup.

"I have lost another very important player. Karim is upset because this World Cup meant a lot to him. He told me that he was 'dead'. The diagnosis made by our doctor was the same as the one he was given in Madrid. At best, he could return to training no earlier than December 10. He wrote on social media that he was disappointed that he had to accept his departure, justifying it in the interests of the team.

We stayed with him for about twenty minutes. When I was leaving him, I said: "Karim, take your time." When I woke up, he had already left. This is his decision, I understand and respect it. He confirmed his decision to end his international career. Don't ask me why. It's his right to tell me the reasons or not," Le Parisien quoted Deschamps as saying.