France head coach Zinedine Zidane has closed the door on a possible return for former captain Karim Benzema.
Zidane spoke highly of the former Real Madrid striker but said his immediate focus is on younger players.
The France boss has already selected his squad for the September international window, with Turkey and Belgium lined up in the UEFA Nations League.
Asked whether Benzema could return, Zidane said ahead of his first matches in charge: “I spent extraordinary years with him [Benzema] in Madrid. I adore him. He has played for France.”
“Right now, I need to see younger players with the national team,” he added.
Benzema last featured for Les Bleus in a Nations League meeting with Croatia in 2022.
