Benzema's agent: Forward was fit for World Cup knockout stage

Karim Benzema's agent says the forward was fit and available to play in the World Cup knockout rounds after overcoming a thigh injury but wasn't selected because he was sent home prematurely by France.

The Real Madrid star withdrew from Didier Deschamps' squad after France's medical staff discovered the issue on the eve of the World Cup. It was determined that the 35-year-old would need three weeks to recover, but his agent Karim Djaziri contends that Benzema could've been available for selection sooner.

"I've consulted three specialists who confirm the diagnosis that Benzema could have been fit from the round of 16 to be on the bench at least!" Djaziri tweeted on Monday, as translated by ESPN.

"Why did you ask him to leave so quickly?"

Djaziri's tweet also included a video of the player's scan at a hospital in Qatar.

On Sunday, Djaziri accused the France Football Federation of being misleading over Benzema's medical status.

"A week after his departure, Benzema started running again," he tweeted. "After four days of training, he played 30 minutes in a friendly for Real Madrid ... Keep on lying; the truth is coming."

Benzema announced his retirement from international football days after France fell to Argentina on penalties in the World Cup final.

The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner is expected to play for Real Madrid on Friday against Real Valladolid.