Striker Karim Benzema of France has been ruled out of the FIFA World Cup 2022, in Qatar, after suffering a thigh injury during training.
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| France striker Karim Benzema during a training session. Photo: @Benzema |
France head coach, Didier Deschamps, said: “I am extremely sad for Karim, who made this World Cup a major goal.”
34-year old Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d’Or which is being awarded to the best football player in the world yearly.
The Frenchman won the prize after contributing immensely to Real Madrid’s success last season, especially in clinching both the Uefa Champions League and the Spanish La Liga.
Benzema said, “in my life I never give up but tonight I have to think about the team like I always do.
“So the reason tells me to leave my place to someone who can help our team to make a great World Cup.”
“The whole team shares Karim’s sadness and wishes him a speedy recovery,” the French Football Federation said.
It said the injury was confirmed by an MRI scan, which requires “a three-week recovery period”.
In Group D, France will slug it out with Australia on 22 November, Denmark on 26 November and Tunisia on 30 November.
