France’s World Cup hopes were dealt a huge blow late Saturday when Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was ruled out of the tournament in Qatar due to an injured left thigh. The 34-year-old Real Madrid striker had been battling an injury for some time and had played less than half an hour in his club’s last six games before the tournament.
For the first time since the World Cup holders gathered last week ahead of the tournament, he participated in full training on Saturday.
With the injury, the Real Madrid striker was forced to withdraw from the session at Qatari champions Al Sadd’s home stadium and was taken for tests.
The French Football Federationlater stated in a statement that the injury “will necessitate a three-week recovery period,” ruling out any possibility of him being fully fit for the tournament, which concludes on December 18.
“I am extremely sad for Karim, for whom this World Cup was a major objective,”
France coach Didier Deschamps was quoted as saying in the FFF statement.
“Despite this new blow for the France team I have full faith in my squad. We will do all we can to rise to the huge challenge that awaits us.”
AC Milan forward Olivier Giroud is expected to benefit from Benzema’s absence by joining France’s attack alongside PSG’s Kylian Mbappe and Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann. However, according to FIFA rules, Deschamps can call up a replacement for an injured player until Monday, the day before their first game.
The reigning world champions will begin their title defence against Australia in Al Wakrah on Tuesday. They will also face Denmark and Tunisia in Group D.
France arrived in Qatar without their key midfield pairing from the successful 2018 World Cup campaign, midfielders Paul Pogba (Juventus) and N’Golo Kante (Chelsea), who were both ruled out due to injury before Deschamps named his squad.
Back-up goalkeeper Mike Maignan (AC Milan) and centre-back Presnel Kimpembe (PSG) also withdrew before RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku was forced to withdraw after suffering a knee injury in France’s final training session before leaving for Qatar.
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