Mueez Ajao
– France striker Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an injury to his left thigh during training on Saturday in Doha, the French federation have confirmed.
– The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner felt a strong pain in his quads during a sprint toward the end of the training session.
– Sources told that Benzema underwent scans to find out the extent of the injury, after which it was determined that he won’t recover in time to take part in the tournament that runs through the final on Dec. 18.
Also Read: BREAKING: Nkunku out of World Cup due to an injury in training
Karim Benzema has suffered a problem in today’s training session with France, as advanced by RMC Sport. More tests will follow. 🚨🇫🇷 #WorldCup2022
France staff will be on it to understand how to proceed with Karim’s problem. pic.twitter.com/kQAhmYflAw
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 19, 2022
Breaking: Karim Benzema will MISS the World Cup. Confirmed. He will not be part of France 26 man squad. 🚨🇫🇷 #WorldCup2022 pic.twitter.com/vVLIl82yqB
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 19, 2022
– France begin the defence of the World Cup title they won in 2018 when taking on Australia on Tuesday. Per FIFA rules, they will have until 24 hours before their first game to name a replacement to their squad.
– France’s preparations in Qatar had already been hit by the injury withdrawals of RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku and Paris Saint-Germain centre back Presnel Kimpembe.
– Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani and Monaco’s Axel Disasi were named as replacements.
– Benzema, 34, has had battled injuries throughout the first part of the season with Real Madrid.
– He had played only 26 minutes of football in the past month because of muscular fatigue and Saturday was the first time he was training with the France squad since they got together on Monday.
– France coach Didier Deschamps was optimistic that his striker could recover in time but Saturday’s injury has now ruled him out of the tournament.
