Mesut Ozil has suggested that France lost their dramatic World Cup final against Argentina due to the absence of striker Karim Benzema.
Benzema had been awarded a place in the France squad for the tournament as Didier Deschamps' side aimed to become the first nation to successfully defend the title since Brazil in 1962. Les Blues were expecting the Ballon d'Or winner to play a leading role at the World Cup.
However, the striker was subsequently ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injury and even though he could have returned to the set-up during the competition - having regained fitness and due to being named in the initial squad - that did not occur.
