France coach Didier Deschamps has big regret over his treatment of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

Benzema has missed the World Cup after picking up a thigh injury in the days before it kicked off.

And Le Figaro says Deschamps also regrets snubbing the striker until last year's Euros.

Deschamps refused to select Benzema for five years as he was being investigated for a blackmail case against former teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

However, the Les Bleus coach now feels he should've recalled the veteran earlier. Indeed, Deschamps regards the Benzema situation as the biggest regret of his tenure.