The former agent of Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema says his continued absence from France's national team is due to Federation president Noel Le Graet.

Many blame France coach Didier Deschamps for Benzema's snub, with the striker having not played since before the 2016 Euros after becoming embroiled in an alleged blackmail plot.

But his former agent Karim Djaziri told RMC: "If Griezmann, Pogba and Lloris demand the return of Benzema, you think he is not going to take him?!

"If Karim wants to return to the France team? Of course. He has been ready for six years. He's been waiting six years. He is a player who loves football too much."

Djaziri also spoke of the relationship between Deschamps and Benzema.

He continued: "Didier and Karim had a very close relationship, father / son.

"At no time did he say that Didier was racist. If Didier has a problem with someone, he calls him, he resolves his problem, especially with someone he knows. Didier has picked up players who have insulted his family. He excused much worse from players.

"In July 2017, Karim told me to call president Le Graët to arrange a meeting with Didier. I called the president, but he didn't want to arrange this meeting.

"We do not even know if he is aware."