Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema focused on France’s World Cup campaign

Karim Benzema is looking forward to France’s World Cup campaign and insists he has no regrets about playing with an injury in the UEFA Champions League final.

The Real Madrid striker aggravated a groin strain in their 4-1 victory over city rivals Atletico but insists he could not miss the game, even though he was only playing at 40 or 50 per cent of his capabilities.

He is now preparing for France’s World Cup campaign, having attended his first full team training session on Wednesday.

"It was not a mistake to play and I would do it again," Benzema told Marca.

"I was injured but the main thing is that I took part and helped the team.”

(France) it is not a favourite and that is normal. But we have a group of young players who have a big future

Big future

France start their Group E campaign on June 15 against Honduras and also take on Switzerland and Ecuador.

"France is not a favourite and that is normal. But we have a group of young players who have a big future,” added Benzema.

"We are going to think about qualifying from our group and after that advance match-by-match."

While the 26-year-old admits to feeling "pressure" of being France's lead striker, he is up for the challenge ahead, saying: "I am going to work to be the best. I feel good physically and mentally."