Karim Benzema back in action ahead of World Cup final

Karim Benzema made his return to action in a 60-minute training match behind closed doors on Thursday as Real Madrid hosted Leganes at Valdebebas.

But the 2021 Ballon d’Or winner is almost certainly not going to make a shock return to the France squad in time for Sunday’s World Cup final against Argentina.

Having missed out on France’s 2018 triumph during his years in the international wilderness, Benzema was recalled ahead of Euro 2020 and this would have been his first World Cup since 2014.

However, injury on the eve of the tournament saw the 34-year-old leave Qatar before a ball had even kicked. But because coach Didier Deschamps never called up a replacement, which he was allowed to do as it fell before France’s first game, Benzema never officially withdrew.

That means that the veteran forward is still technically part of the squad now, even though he has been back in Madrid for almost a month. Following the semi-final win over Morocco, it raised the possibility that he could make a sensational return for the final.

Deschamps refused to address the speculation but also didn’t firmly rule it out.

Marca has since reported that Benzema has been invited back to Qatar for the final by the French Football Federation, but as a guest in a non-playing capacity.

As a member of the squad, Benzema would still be entitled to a medal – either as a winner or runner-up – but it is unclear if he would accept one. Having been absent since before the opening game, it is not as though he could have even performed a behind the scenes role as any other non-playing members of the squad might have done during that time.