By Victor Kanayo
Real Madrid star Karim Benzema has been ruled out of 2022 World Cup after suffering a fresh injury during training on Saturday evening, barely 24 hours to the kickoff of this year’s soccer competition.
Confirming the latest development via an official statement, French Football Federation said, “Struck in the quadriceps of his left thigh, the Real Madrid striker is forced to give up participating in the World Cup.
“Karim Benzema was forced to interrupt group training after feeling some discomfort in the quadriceps of his left thigh.
“An MRI was performed at a Doha hospital, which unfortunately confirmed a rectus femoris injury, which will require a three-week recovery period.
“After having exchanged with Dr. Franck Le Gall about the Real Madrid striker, Didier Deschamps confirmed the loss of Karim Benzema for the World Cup.”
Also speaking, French Coach Didier Deschamps said, “I am extremely sad for Karim, who made this World Cup an important goal.
“Despite this new blow to the French team, I have full confidence in my group. We will do our best to meet the immense challenge that awaits us.”
Karim Benzema was unable to complete France’s team training session on Saturday, just three days before the reigning world champions begin their Qatar 2022 campaign against Australia.
The striker, 34, has been struggling with an unspecified injury in recent weeks.
The veteran forward has suffered with knee and hamstring complaints this season and was placed on a specialised training programme by France ahead of the 2022 World Cup, which gets underway when host nation Qatar take on Ecuador on Sunday November 20.
Benzema, who was awarded the UEFA Player of the Year and the Ballon d’Or for his performances in 2021 and 2022, has reestablished himself as a key player for France after a long absence from internationals.
He said, “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 squad have a good World Cup. “Thank you for all your messages of support.”
Benzema is the latest in a long line of injured absentees for Didier Deschamps after Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe and Mike Maignan were all ruled out of selection.
