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Karim Benzema: France striker ruled out of 2022 World Cup in Qatar | Football News

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Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after tearing a muscle in his left thigh, the French Football Federation has confirmed.

The Ballon d’Or winner, 34, was compelled to depart defending champions France’s coaching session early after struggling the damage in coaching on Saturday.

“Karim Benzema is out of the World Cup,” the French soccer federation (FFF) stated.

“After hurting the quadriceps on his left thigh the Real Madrid striker is forced to give up on taking part in the World Cup.”

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Benzema was France’s high scorer in Euro 2020

Benzema was collaborating in his first full coaching session with Les Bleus when he needed to come off after feeling some ache in his left thigh.

“He went for an MRI scan in a hospital (clinic) in Doha, which unfortunately confirmed a tear,” the FFF added.

Benzema wrote on Instagram: “In my life I’ve by no means given up however tonight I’ve to consider the crew, as I’ve at all times performed, so motive tells me to depart my place to somebody who will help our group make an excellent World Cup.

“Thank you for all your messages of support.”

France coach Didier Deschamps added: “I am extremely sad for Karim who had made this World Cup a major objective. Despite this new blow for the French team, I have full confidence in my group. We will do everything to meet the huge challenge that awaits us.”

Since successful the Ballon d’Or final month, Benzema has performed fewer than half-hour for Madrid after coming off the bench in a Champions League sport towards Celtic.

Benzema was France’s high scorer on the 2014 World Cup however didn’t play in France’s victorious 2018 World Cup marketing campaign. France coach Deschamps recalled him for final 12 months’s European Championship, the place he was France’s high scorer with 4 targets.

Forward Christopher Nkunku was injured simply minutes earlier than the tip of the crew’s earlier coaching session on Tuesday night and has since been changed in the squad by Randal Kolo Muani.

Deschamps is already lacking midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, who helped France win the World Cup 4 years in the past.

Karim Benzema (left), Paul Pogba (centre), Adrien Rabiot (right)
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Paul Pogba (centre) misses the World Cup

Pogba injured his knee in pre-season and underwent surgical procedure in September to restore a broken meniscus. The 29-year-old resumed coaching earlier than his agent confirmed the midfielder wouldn’t return to motion for Juventus or France earlier than the World Cup.

Chelsea midfielder Kante suffered a setback in his rehabilitation from a hamstring damage that has restricted him to 2 league appearances this season. He might be sidelined for 4 months after present process surgical procedure.

Deschamps additionally has an anxious wait to see if his greatest central defender, Raphael Varane, is match to face Australia – precisely a month since he limped off for Manchester United with a hamstring damage.

Fellow World Cup winner and central defender Presnel Kimpembe pulled out of the France squad on Monday after failing to sufficiently get better from a six-week layoff following a hamstring damage.

France's Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Austria at the Stade de France stadium in Saint Denis, outside Paris, France,Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
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Olivier Giroud is predicted to guide the road for France

Even with out Benzema, France nonetheless have a powerful assault to face Australia. They are prone to begin with Olivier Giroud because the central striker, flanked by 2018 World Cup star Kylian Mbappe and both Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele or veteran Antoine Griezmann.

Giroud has scored 49 targets for France, Griezmann has 42 and the 23-year-old Mbappe already has 28. Dembele has been in nice kind for Spanish league leaders Barcelona this season.

Deschamps has till Monday – the eve of the Australia sport – to name up a alternative for Benzema to his 26-player squad. Monaco striker Wissam Ben Yedder, who has three worldwide targets, might present an possibility.

Les Bleus are in motion towards Denmark 4 days later and earlier than they tackle Tunisia on November 30.

2022 World Cup draw

  • Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
  • Group B: England, Iran, USA, Wales
  • Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
  • Group D: France, Australia, Denmark, Tunisia
  • Group E: Spain, Costa Rica, Germany, Japan
  • Group F: Belgium, Ghana, Morocco, Croatia
  • Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
  • Group H: Portugal, Canada, Uruguay, South Korea



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