Mathieu Valbeuna says Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema should continue playing for France.

Found guilty for his role in a blackmail attempt on former France teammate Valbuena, Benzema received a one-year suspended jail sentence this week.

Now with Olympiakos, Valbuena told RMC: "I have never mixed the business and the football side.

"Karim Benzema is a great player. The France team needs the best, and today we have the best. I am no one to say whether he should be selectable or not.

"Didier Deschamps is there to build a group. In addition, in a year, there will be the World Cup."