Karim Benzema was ruled out of the World Cup just last week, in what was supposed to be his final appearance with the French national team.

Benzema was expected to play a crucial role with the Les Bleus, but that won’t be the case anymore.

Meanwhile, former Uruguay captain Diego Lugano, has claimed that some of Benzema’s teammates may be happy with his absence rather than his presence.

“I am certain, because I was a team-mate to some [France players] that they are very happy with the departure of Benzema,” Lugano told ESPN.

“[That kind of reaction] would never happen in Uruguay, Brazil or Argentina. It depends a lot on the way the team was put together and on the care that the coach has with the player profiles, not only technical, but personality. It has a lot to do with that.”

This is such a bold claim from Lugano, and it seems unsubstantiated.

Meanwhile, France got off to a fine start at the World Cup with a 4-1 victory over Australia on Tuesday night.