World Cup 2022: Benzema Will Still Receive Winners Medal if France Defend Title

• Karim Benzema is currently unavailable for France in the World Cup due to a thigh injury
• The Real Madrid striker was also not part of the French squad that won the 2018 World Cup
• Conflicting reports are doing the rounds about Benzema's possible return for the knockouts

There’s light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to Karim Benzema’s dreams of earning a World Cup medal.

The Real Madrid striker was a part of the French squad selected for the tournament in Qatar, but was ruled out of playing due to a thigh injury.

Benzema suffered the thigh injury while preparing for Les Bleus’ tournament opener against Australia and requires a three-week recovery period.

Despite not being able to play a single minute for his nation, SportBible reported that Benz will still receive a World Cup medal if France defends their title in Qatar.

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This is because Benzema is still listed on the official Les Bleus list despite being injured.

No medal in 2018

If France do win the tournament, it will be Benzema’s first World Cup winners' medal. The striker was not included in the team that won the title in 2018 in Russia.

A medal will go nicely along with his Ballon d’Or award earlier this year.

Making history through his absence

Even though he isn’t fit to play for France, Benzema has still made history.

His absence from the tournament means that he becomes the first Ballon d’Or holder to miss the tournament since 1982.

Benz's hopes for a recovery?

Many were hoping that Benzema would recover in time to still feature for Les Bleus in the knockout stages.

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However, the Daily Mail reported that the player is a long way from returning to full fitness and won’t be able to join the French squad anytime soon.

Qatar 2022: Benzema could return

Sports Brief earlier reported that Benzema could make a stunning return to France's squad, after he was initially ruled out of the tournament through injury.

Didier Deschamps was hoping his talisman would return to the team, but a problematic thigh injury has seen him struggle to recover.

France have already qualified for the last 16 of the tournament, after victories over Australia and Denmark.

Benzema ruled out of Mundial

Sports Brief earlier reported on Benzema exiting the World Cup after sustaining a thigh injury during national team training.

Since October, the emblematic player has struggled with a thigh problem and has played less than half an hour of football in his club's last six games.

The Real Madrid forward was voted the best player this year at the Ballon d'Or awards last month, and the 34-year-old will be sorely missed by the world champions.