Agencies
Doha
France striker Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 after picking up a thigh injury in training.
The news is a huge blow to the holders, who had been hoping the Real Madrid striker would be able to cap a dazzling year in which he fired Real Madrid to glory in the UEFA Champions League and La Liga.
Benzema wrote on Instagram: “In my life I have never given up but tonight I have to think about the team, as I have always done, so reason tells me to leave my place to someone who can help our group make a good World Cup. Thank you for all your messages of support.”
The 34-year-old has been struggling with injuries this season and yesterday’s training was the first full session in which he had taken part since joining up with Les Bleus’ squad.
Coach Didier Deschamps expressed his disappointment at this latest injury blow, having already lost key men such as Paul Pogba and Ngolo Kante.
“I am extremely sad for Karim who made this World Cup a major goal,” Deschamps said. “Despite this new setback, I have full confidence in my group. We will do everything to meet the immense challenge that awaits us.”
The French Football Federation said: “The whole team shares Karim’s sadness and wishes him a speedy recovery.”
It said an MRI scan confirmed the injury, which requires “a three-week recovery period”.
Deschamps told French television network TF1 on Sunday that he would not be naming a replacement for Benzema.
France play Australia on 22 November, Denmark on 26 November and Tunisia on 30 November in Group D.
The 2018 World Cup winners have lost several key players through injury.
Midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante were not included in the original 26-man squad.
Defender Presnel Kimpembe withdrew on Monday after failing to recover from a hamstring problem - he was replaced by Axel Disasi - and on Wednesday forward Christopher Nkunku was ruled out after limping out of training. Randal Kolo Muani was called up as a replacement.
Defender Raphael Varane is aiming to be fit after missing Manchester United’s past five matches.
United forward Anthony Martial is an option to replace Benzema, who had been struggling with a thigh problem since October and has played less than half an hour in Real’s past six games.
Saturday’s was his first full training session since the World Cup squad came together last week.
