Didier Deschamps and Karim Benzema are on bad terms, according to L’Equipe, and it dates back to the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

What if Karim Benzema’s injury was diplomatic? This week, Real Madrid authorized the player to travel to Qatar to attend the Blues final. But KB9 shouldn’t show up. According to the Spanish press, he could even have played with France from the round of 16. So why didn’t he come back? He is still part of the Blue group and will be crowned world champion if the Blues win against Argentina on Sunday.

Relations with the staff, and especially Didier Deschamps, would not be good, according to several sources. But according to L’Equipe, the two men will never have an « accomplice » relationship, given the background. DD would not have appreciated that Benzema did not thank him during his speech of acceptance of the Ballon d’Or.

According to L’Equipe, Benzema is also not unanimous in the Blues locker room. And if relations are cordial with the group, most players would be rather happy with his absence in Qatar. As usual, tongues will loosen up afterwards, but Benzema’s absence is really starting to look like a new Benzema affair…