Karim Benzema Not Selected for France Euro 2016 Squad: Latest Comments, Reaction

Karim Benzema will not feature at UEFA Euro 2016 this summer after it was confirmed on Wednesday that France coach Didier Deschamps won't select the Real Madrid striker.

Benzema confirmed the news on Twitter, as translated by ESPN FC:

The former Lyon frontman—who was charged in relation to the sex-tape case surrounding team-mate Mathieu Valbuena earlier this year—won't play a part in the tournament hosted in his home country.

Les Bleus will now look to the likes of Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Anthony Martial to fill in for Benzema up front, hoping the absence of arguably their best striker won't hurt their title chances on home soil.  

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

It's a brave move on Deschamps' part to omit one of his best players from the squad in a home tournament, presumably owing to what's transpired off the pitch in recent months.

According to French radio station RTL, Deschamps personally informed the player he wouldn't be featuring at Euro 2016 two months prior to the tournament's kick-off date (h/t Get French Football News):

While Benzema was suspended from France duties in December in relation to the blackmail case, per BBC Sport, Valbuena has continued playing in the national team under Deschamps.

It's a crushing blow for Benzema to miss out on a home European Championship at 28 years of age and in his playing prime, as illustrated by OptaJean:

France's other attacking options can't boast the same scoring reputation on the international circuit. Of any player to have represented Les Bleus in the past 12 months, Giroud is the next highest scorer with 14 goals, just over half that of Benzema (27).

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson sounded his opinion the French Football Federation were justified in their decision and touched on the notion no one individual should be bigger than the side itself:

The Mirror's Alex Richards took the opposite view and detailed what a boost this will be for France's tournament rivals, particularly Group A opponents Switzerland, Romania and Albania:

Although Benzema is yet to be found guilty in Valbuena's blackmail trial, it seems the episode has tarnished the Real forward's reputation to the point where it may not be repaired among France's current hierarchy.

In early March, French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet suggested Benzema's personality has seen him get on the wrong side of some, per Spanish newspaper AS: "We have to be capable of forgiveness. He's a guy who was already rather unpopular before this matter."

While French fans may be saddened to lose such an experienced and prolific talent, Deschamps' decision could give chances for the likes of Griezmann, Martial and Kingsley Coman to lay a marker on the team.

The manager's decision undoubtedly weakens France's striking options on the pitch, but it seems strong morale and even stronger principles are of higher concern to those in control of the side.