France coach Didier Deschamps insists freezing out Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is nothing personal.

Deschamps argues Benzema is being left out over form and has nothing to do with the alleged blackmail plot he was caught up in over two years ago.

He said, "For me, Karim Benzema is not a problem. Why would it be? I am here to make choices. Choices that go in the direction of what is good for the team of France.

"I only make sporting choices, never personal choices. If I coached Karim Benzema in a club, like Zinedine Zidane, obviously the situation would be different. But here I lead the national team. It's happened what happened.

"After reaching the Euro2016 final, it was necessary to continue to maintain this team. I trusted players who met my expectations on and off the pitch. Why will I change? Nothing is more important than the squad."