Qatar 2022: Benzema out of the world Cup

France Forward  Karim Benzema has withdrawn from the France squad after picking up an injury in training, the country’s football federation announced on Saturday.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.

Recall 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 cut short by the injury with tests later Saturday indicating he will be out for three weeks with a thigh muscle injury.

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

Les Blues have lost the best forward over the last 18 months in European football in Benzema. However, Didier Deschamps got back the ability to freely utilize the same attack that won the 2018 World Cup with Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, and Olivier Giroud.

Reacting to the injury Benzema said: “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”. He said