With hours to go until the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, France’s World Cup dreams have been dealt another blow with star striker Karim Benzema picking up an injury during training.
“After injuring the quadriceps of his left thigh, the Real Madrid forward is forced to give up participating in the World Cup,” said the French Football Federation (FFF).
Karim Benzema is out of the World Cup.
FFF said an MRI confirmed a thigh muscle injury “which will require a three-week recovery period.”
Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d’Or after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League and La Liga.
They can no longer count on midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante due to injuries. Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is trying to get fit to play after missing his last five games for the club.
“The whole team shares Karim’s sadness and wishes him a speedy recovery,” added the French football body.