Hammerblow for France As Karim Benzema Ruled Out of World Cup

• It has been confirmed Karim Benzema will no longer play a part of France’s 2022 World Cup participation in Qatar
• The Real Madrid striker will miss the World Cup after picking up a thigh injury in training
• The two-time world champions will begin their defense against Australia on Tuesday, November 22

France star Karim Benzema has lost his race to be fit for the 2022 World Cup and has withdrawn from their squad, the country's football federation announced on Saturday.

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

The emblematic Benzema has been struggling with a thigh problem since October and has played less than half an hour of football in his club's last six games.

Benzema's return to full training was curtailed by the injury with tests later Saturday indicating he will be out for three weeks with a thigh muscle injury.

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As reported by RMC, Benzema’s new injury relates to the quadriceps and he suffered it running all by himself.

This was the first time Benzema had taken part in full training since Didier Deschamps's squad met up at their French headquarters of Clairefontaine last Monday.

Les Blues have lost the best pound-for-pound forward from over the last 18 months in European football in Benzema.

However, Didier Deschamps got back the ability to freely utilise the exact same attack that won the 2018 World Cup in Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud.

Benzema reacts to his injury

“In my life I have never given up… but tonight I have to think of the team as I have always done so reason tells me to leave my place to someone who can help our group to make a great world cup. Thank you for all your messages of support”.

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Tchouameni defends Benzema

Sports Brief earlier reported that Real Madrid midfielder, Aurelien Tchouameni has leapt to the defence of Karim Benzema after the France forward was accused of skipping games to stay fit for the World Cup.

Benzema had missed Real Madrid’s final 3 matches before the World Cup break with muscle fatigue, leading to backlash from several fans.

Tchouameni who plays alongside Benzema at Real Madrid revealed his France compatriot has not played more for the Spanish champions because he wasn’t fully fit, SB Nation reports.