FIFA World Cup 2022
Defending champions France will be without goalscorer Karim Benzema at the World Cup in Qatar. The 34-year-old Real Madrid striker is out with a left thigh injury, the French Football Federation (FFF) said on Saturday night after investigations.
Benzema had previously felt a sharp pain during training in Doha and had to abandon the session. According to FFF information, the reigning world footballer injured his quadriceps and now has to pause for at least three weeks.
“I’ve never given up in my life, but tonight I have to think of the team like I always have,” Benzema wrote on Instagram. “Reason tells me to leave my place to someone who can help our team to play a good World Cup,” he added, thanking him for all the encouraging messages. Benzema had already missed the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Four years ago he was not called up because of his involvement in an extortion affair and has since received a fine and suspended sentence.
Deschamps has to reschedule
“I’m extremely sad for Karim, who made this World Cup a big goal,” said team boss Didier Deschamps. “Despite this renewed setback for the French team, I have full confidence in my team. We will do everything to meet the immense challenge that awaits us,” added Deschamps.
Benzema’s absence means another serious setback in his planning. Before this year’s winner of the Ballon d’Or, Paul Pogba, Ngolo Kante and Presnel Kimpembe, who were also scheduled to be regulars, as well as the in-form Christopher Nkunku had already been without the World Cup. The French start the tournament in Qatar on Tuesday against Australia. Other preliminary round opponents for the French are Denmark on November 26th and Tunisia on November 30th.
