Karim Benzema's agent lashes out at Didier Deschamps with 'proof' of Real Madrid striker's fitness

The agent of Real Madrid and France superstar Karim Benzema has added further fuel to the fire surrounding the striker's feud with the French national team by claiming he was fit to play for the majority of the World Cup.

Benzema picked up an injury shortly before the beginning of the tournament in Qatar and France quickly ruled him out of the entire competition as a result, although Benzema was never formally removed from the squad.

There was speculation that the 35-year-old would return for the final against Argentina as the French squad suffered from a bug which threatened to rule several players out of the match. However, no such return materialised and Benzema called time on his international career for good.

Rumours emerged suggesting that Benzema fell out with France head coach Didier Deschamps over the injury, feeling that it was only minor despite Deschamps insisting that the striker return to Madrid for treatment.

Agent Karim Djaziri has now intensified the feud by posting a video to social media which he claims is proof that Benzema was fit again by the time of the Round of 16, which would have meant he was fit to assist France in their journey through the entire World Cup knockout phase.

Djaziri captioned the video: "I put that there but before that I consulted 3 specialists who confirm the diagnosis that Benzema could have been fit from the last 16 to at least be on the bench! Why did you ask him to leave so quickly?"

The message was clearly aimed at Deschamps and contributes to the speculation that a behind-the-scenes issue played a bigger role in Benzema's omission from the tournament.

Benzema has since unfollowed nearly every player involved in the French national side on social media, signalling that he has drawn a line in the sand with Les Bleus for good.