Zinedine Zidane told a news conference ahead of an International Champions Cup match against Bayern Munich on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and WatchESPN) that striker Karim Benzema will not play.
Benzema, 28, missed out on Real Madrid's Champions League final win against Atletico Madrid due to injury and was also left out of Didier Deschamps' France squad at Euro 2016.
It now appears unlikely that Benzema will be ready for the UEFA Super Cup final against Europa League winners Sevilla on Aug. 9 as well.
"Karim will not play against Bayern. He still has not done anything with the team," Zidane said. "The idea is that on Saturday he will be incorporated into the group.
"I'm happy with how [preseason has] gone. We have been able to work very well. I want the team to go further.
"The idea is that against Bayern, those who start the game play more minutes."
Zidane also weighed in on the future of Colombia international James Rodriguez ahead of the Bayern friendly, calling the midfielder a Madrid player and someone who was working hard for a more permanent spot in the lineup.
"I do not want him to leave, he is a Madrid player, he just wants to play more, but you have to do what he is doing and work," Zidane said, amid rampant speculation that Rodriguez could leave the club this summer.
"I hope to play him more this year, but I want everyone to give the maximum, and then I decide every game.
"And I have 25 players, so I do not have anything against James, people always ask me the same. James is well in Madrid."