Macron on Benzema: Even talented players can disintegrate a group LaLiga - Real Madrid Says he has been impressed by his form in Spain

French president Emmanuel Macron has addressed the controversy of Karim Benzema's absence in the France squad after a falling out with coach Didier Deschamps.

Despite winning three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid, he was left out of the French World Cup squad and journalists were keen to ask Macron for his opinion.

"I'm the president of the Republic, not the coach of France," Macron responded.

"I love football and I can give my opinion, but in the end, the man in charge of the team is Didier Deschamps and I trust him.

"This doesn't change the quality of Benzema at Real Madrid, he's shone for years in Spain and he plays well in the Champions League.

"There are rules, the coach knows that even with a talented player, if he doesn't get on with the group, everything can disintegrate."

France begin their World Cup campaign, without Benzema, against Australia on Saturday.