Benzema left out in cold as Deschamps names France squad

Karim Benzema has been left out of Didier Deschamps' pre-selection squad list for France's next two games against Luxembourg in the World Cup qualifiers and against Spain in a friendly on the 25th and 28th of March respectively despite hinting that he could return to the squad recently.

He also opened the door for the Real Madrid striker to return in November but that was also a false alarm and it appears that the 29-year-old's future with the national side could be dependent on whether Deschamps remains at helm or not. 

Benzema's struggles

Benzema has struggled this season with Real Madrid with just seven goals in 21 games for los Blancos in the league. His spot in the starting line-up has also come into question with Alvaro Morata getting the nod against Real Betis recently.

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Kylian Mbappe has reportedly been included as the 18-year-old Monaco striker continues to shine on domestic and European fronts this season with 16 goals in 30 games for Leonardo Jardim's Ligue 1-leading Monaco side. 

Real Madrid's Raphael Varane was also left out of the squad as he returns from injury along with Barcelona's Lucas Digne.

Full squad list

Goalkeepers: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Benoît Costil (Rennes), Alphonse Areola (PSG)

Defenders: Layvin Kurzawa (PSG), Benjamin Mendy (AS Monaco), Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal), Adil Rami (Sevilla), Samuel Umtiti (FC Barcelona), Presnel Kimpembe (PSG), Bacary Sagna (Manchester City), Djibril Sidibé (AS Monaco)

Midfielders: Blaise Matuidi (PSG), N’Golo Kanté (Chelsea FC), Adrien Rabiot (PSG), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Dimitri Payet (Olympique de Marseille), Corentin Tolisso (Olympique Lyonnais)

Attackers: Olivier Giroud (Arsenal), Ousmane Dembélé (Borussia Dortmund), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Thomas Lemar (AS Monaco), Kevin Gameiro (Atletico Madrid), Kylian Mbappé (AS Monaco), Florian Thauvin (Olympique de Marseille)