France striker Karim Benzema out of World Cup after injury in training

Ballon d'Or winner suffered a muscle tear that will need at least three weeks to recover

Karim Benzema was ruled out of the World Cup after sustaining an injury during a training session. AP

France striker Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the World Cup in Qatar after suffering an injury in training, the French football federation said on Saturday.

The Ballon d'Or winner, who has been struggling with a muscle problem, was forced to leave defending champions France's training session earlier on Saturday.

“Karim Benzema is out of the World Cup,” the French football federation (FFF) said adding that the injury will need at least three weeks to repair.

“After hurting the quadriceps on his left thigh the Real Madrid striker is forced to give up on taking part in the World Cup.”

“He went for an MRI scan in a hospital (clinic) in Doha, which unfortunately confirmed a tear,” the FFF added.

Benzema was taking part in his first full training session with Les Bleus when he had to come off after feeling some pain in his left thigh, the FFF said.

“I am extremely sad for Karim who had made this World Cup a major objective. Despite this new blow for the French team, I have full confidence in my group. We will do everything to meet the huge challenge that awaits us,” said coach Didier Deschamps in a statement.

The Real Madrid striker 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 addressed his fans after the news emerged.

“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 his Instagram account. “So reason tells me to give my place to someone who can help our squad have a great World Cup. Thanks for all your messages of support.”

France forward Kylian Mbappe during a training session at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on November 17, 2022, ahead of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. AFP

France striker Karim Benzema during training in Doha. EPA

France manager Didier Deschamps with Kylian Mbappe. EPA

France's Kingsley Coman is challenged by Lucas Hernandez. Getty

Antoine Griezmann of France. Getty

France goalkeeper Hugo Loris. EPA

France's player Karim Benzema training with teammates. EPA

France attacker Ousmane Dembele. AFP

France attacker Kylian Mbappe. EPA

Fans in Doha watch Karim Benzema at the France training session. EPA

France defender Ibrahima Konate. Getty

France's Karim Benzema during training. Reuters

France attacker Olivier Giroud receives treatment on an injury. EPA

France manager Didier Deschamps talks to his players. Getty

France midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. Getty

France's Karim Benzema watches Raphael Varane. AFP

France attacker Ousmane Dembele. EPA

France's Karim Benzema during training. EPA

France's Karim Benzema. EPA

France manager Didier Deschamps talks to his players. EPA

Theo Hernandez of France in action during training. Getty

France manager Didier Deschamps. AFP

France forward Antoine Griezmann nutmegs Matteo Guendouzi. Getty

The France squad stretch during training. EPA

France's Kylian Mbappe. EPA

Weakened squad still strong

Deschamps has seen his squad riddled with injuries.

Forward Christopher Nkunku was injured just minutes before the end of the team’s last training session on Tuesday evening and replaced in the squad by Randal Kolo Muani on Wednesday.

Deschamps is already missing midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, who helped France win the World Cup four years ago.

He also has an anxious wait to see if his best central defender, Raphael Varane, is fit to face Australia — exactly a month since he limped off for Manchester United with a hamstring injury.

Fellow World Cup winner and central defender Presnel Kimpembe pulled out Monday after failing to sufficiently recover from a six-week layoff following a hamstring injury.

Even without Benzema, France still has a strong attack to face Australia.

France is likely to start with Olivier Giroud as the central striker, flanked by 2018 World Cup star Kylian Mbappe and either Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembele or veteran Antoine Griezmann.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe earns £1,217,000 a week, according to capology.com. AFP

Raphael Varane earns £340,000 a week at Manchester United. Getty

Bayern Munich's Lucas Hernandez earns £304,000 a week. Reuters

Bayern Munich's Kingsley Coman earns £287,000 a week. AFP

Jules Kounde earns £229,000 a week at Barcelona. Getty

Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann earns £211,000 a week. EPA

Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele is paid £203,000 a week. AFP

Dayot Upamecano earns £192,000 a week at Bayern Munich. Getty

Christopher Nkunku earns £169,000 a week at RB Leipzig. EPA

Adrien Rabiot earns £152,000 a week at Juventus. Getty

Eduardo Camavinga earns £141,000 a week at Real Madrid. Getty

Aurelien Tchouameni earns £127,000 a week at Real Madrid. Getty

Alphonse Areola earns £120,000 a week at West Ham United. Getty

Tottenham Hotspur's Hugo Lloris earns £100,000 a week. Action Images

AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez earns £87,000 a week. AFP

Olivier Giroud earns £86,000 a week at AC Milan. EPA

Benjamin Pavard earns £85,000 a week at Bayern Munich. Getty

Ibrahima Konate earns £70,000 a week at Liverpool. EPA

Marcus Thuram earns £54,000 at Borussia Moenchengladbach. AFP

Steve Mandanda earns £50,000 a week at Rennes. EPA

Matteo Guendouzi earns £41,000 a week at Marseille. AFP

William Saliba earns £40,000 a week at Arsenal. PA

Monaco defender Axel Disasi earns £12,000 a week. AFP

Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana is paid £7,300 a week. AFP

Marseille's Jordan Veretout, salary not known. AP