Champions League winner Karim Benzema has accused his national team coach Didier Deschamps of bowing to pressure from racists by leaving him out of the Euro 2016 squad.
The Real Madrid striker was not includede in the 23-man list that will represent the nation as they prepare to host the european competion this June after he was caught up in allegations of a sex tape blackmail scandal involving France teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
However, the player tends to agree with former international Eric Cantona who felt both the striker and Hatem Ben Arfa were omitted because of their North African origins.
In an exclusive interview in Lyon, he explained how he felt about Euro 2016 and winning the Milan final against Atletico Madrid.
Q: Do you think Deschamps or the French Football Federation president have taken the decision to leave you out of Euro 2016 under pressure, against their will? Do you think Didier is racist as Cantona suggested?
A: No, I don't think so but he has bowed to pressure from a racist part of France.
You have to know that an extremist party reached the second round in the last two elections in France.
I don't know, therefore, if the decision was only Didier's because I have got on well with him and with the president.
I don't have a problem with anyone.
In fact, they try to make out that I create problems, go looking for stories and that I'm never happy but this isn't true.
I have more than 40 million fans on social media and they said that people don't want me.
That's ridiculous.
There's been a lot of pressure, of course, but that's because some journalists have said things on television which aren't true.
I don't know if the decision was Didier's or the president's but what I would like is that they make the decisions and don't bow to pressure.
And I think that's what happened.
Having said that, I am with France and I wish them all the best.
Q: Will you be following the competition?
A: Yes, of course, because I like football and Euro 2016.
I would have liked to play for my country but that is impossible, unfortunately.
Q: Was this the hardest blow in your professional career when you knew you were left out?
A: In football, yes.
I'd already had the blow over the World Cup in South Africa in 2010 but this is much harder, being at home.
This is one of the biggest disappointments I've had, without a doubt, but I've had difficult moments.
But you have to get back up and I want to go as far as possible in my career.
Q: How did you react when you were left out? Was it hard to take in?
A: It's hard, very difficult, of course, but in sporting terms I have a place in the team.
Then, they made up a few stories so it's hard to accept and to forget it.
Also, I won the Champions League which made me feel a bit better.
Q: Have you made a decision about your future with France? Do you think that you'll play for them again?
A: In life, you shouldn't be hateful - you should learn from mistakes and reflect on the hard times like this.
Now I am calm and I've already won the best title with my club.
France are going to realise they have treated me unfairly.
Q: But do you think you will play for them again?
A: Of course.
They've made up a rule so they can't pick me, okay.
But in sporting terms I don't understand why because at a judicial level I haven't been judged, I'm not guilty so we'll have to wait to see and let justice be done.
Now, I am available for selection, if they want me, but it isn't a problem for me.
I like football and playing for my country.
Q: Regarding the 11th European title with Real Madrid, what do you have to say to those who question it and say that you didn't face the toughest rivals?
A: We're a great team and a great club will always be criticised.
They always have to pick on someone.
We're talking about the best team in the world.
In the final, we were up against a great team like Atletico and I think this has been one of our best games of the season.
On the one hand, we responded well physically, we also had a mental plan, which are two areas where los Rojiblancos are very strong and we were better in both areas.
The game went to extra time, with players getting cramp and you could see the effect of all the work Zinedine Zidane had done with us since he arrived.
He warned us two weeks ago that it could go to extra time and we had to be prepared.
Q: Have we seen the best of you at Real or will you be even better next season?
A: I improve each year, each time I score more goals, every time I find it more pleasurable.
I feel that the fans want me and I need this.
When I hear them chanting my name at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, it helps me a lot.
They give me the strength and desire to carry on fighting.
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