Karim Benzema has returned for Real Madrid in a friendly amid rumours that he could be recalled to the France squad for Sunday's World Cup final.

The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner was ruled out of the World Cup with a muscle tear in his left thigh suffered on November 19, but returned to action in a training match for Madrid earlier today.

However, despite his short appearance, he will allegedly not be linking up with the national team ahead of the World Cup final.

According to Marca, the Real Madrid forward has been invited by the French Football Federation (FFF) to go to Qatar, but only in a non-playing capacity.

Benzema returned for Los Blancos during the hour-long training match against fellow La Liga side Leganes today, with the game finishing 1-1.

Madrid return to action on December 30, facing off against Real Valladolid in La Liga, as they aim to bridge the two-point gap between them and Barcelona at the top of the table.

Meanwhile, France are hoping to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups when they face off against Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday.