The forward was thought to be crucial to the title hopes of the France team already stricken by injuries.
DOHA, Qatar — Karim Benzema is one of the Real Madrid forward seen as vital to France’s hopes for becoming the very first nation to hold this World Cup in more than 50 years was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to an injury that occurred just 24 hours before the tournament begins.
The 34-year-old Benzema was a player who was awarded the Ballon d’Or, the prestigious award which honors the world’s best most outstanding player, suffered an injury on his left hip in the training practice on Saturday. He was immediately disqualified of France’s first game against Australia however scans afterward confirmed that the injury was serious enough to prevent him from being able to recover in time to take or participate in any of the games.
“I’ve never given up in my life but tonight I have to think of the team, as I have always done,” Benzema posted on Instagram. “Reason tells me to give my place to someone who can help our squad have a great World Cup.”
Didier Deschamps The French coach, admitted that he was “extremely sad” for Benzema, “who had made this World Cup a major objective.” Benzema did not participate in France’s win at the 2018 World Cup as part of a long-running ostracism from the national team due to an alleged blackmail case. According to the rules of the World Cup Deschamps is given the time to select an alternative.
Benzema isn’t the sole star player who is injured in Qatar. There is also the Senegal also Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane was dismissed in the last week because of an injury to his knee. Argentina was left without the middlefielder Giovani Lo Celso. Germany is lacking forwards Marco Reus and Timo Werner as well as Portugal is without the striker Diogo Jota.
France however, has been particularly hard hit. Along with Benzema, Deschamps will go to the tournament without his two first-choice midfielders, Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté, as well as the defenseman Presnel Kimpembe. Deschamps made it clear on Sunday the player would not be replaced by Benzema in the France squad. Christopher Nkunku, who would be Benzema’s most obvious alternative, was left out due to an injury sustained in an exercise this week.
“I have full confidence in my group,” Deschamps stated. “We will do everything to meet the huge challenge that awaits us.”
