Deschamps calls Benzema's Instagram barb 'pitiful'

The seemingly never-ending soap opera starring France boss Didier Deschamps and Real Madrid's Karim Benzema has its latest chapter, with Les Bleus' gaffer calling the striker's latest stunt "pitiful."

Deschamps spoke to reporters Thursday after unveiling his 26-man squad for a trio of summer tilts against Paraguay, Sweden, and England, and with Benzema's name omitted again, the former Marseille manager was asked about his relationship with the embattled forward.

Related: Benzema wants explanation for France omission

Benzema recently liked an Instagram post from French rapper Booba that featured Deschamps, Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, and former Prime Minister Manuel Valls Photoshopped onto the heads of three Atletico Madrid players who were bested by Los Blancos' star striker during the Champions League semi-final second leg.

Noticeably frustrated, Deschamps was asked to comment on Benzema's online blunder, and the France manager pulled no punches, simply calling it "pitiful."

Benzema, who hasn't sported the France kit since 2015, told Marca last June, "Deschamps folded due to pressure from France's racist element," after he was overlooked for the Euro 2016 squad.

Related - Look: Benzema shunned by France national team on Twitter

The Real Madrid forward's involvement in an attempted extortion of former Les Bleus mate Mathieu Valbuena spurned Benzema's omission for the Euro 2016 squad, and Deschamps added Thursday that cohesion among his squad trumps any individual merits.

"I have a squad in which there is harmony. I have faith in the players, who have paid me back on the pitch. I have brought in young players, because they have a lot of potential. I'm the only one who decides, and I take decisions based on sporting reasons," Deschamps admitted.

"For me, I have always thought a squad comes before everything. I always make decisions for the good of the French national team. I always talk with my technical staff before I announce a squad. I have always done that, I am changing nothing."