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.”

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  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

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  France striker Karim Benzema during training in Doha. EPA

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  France manager Didier Deschamps with Kylian Mbappe. EPA

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

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  Antoine Griezmann of France. Getty

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  France goalkeeper Hugo Loris. EPA

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  France's player Karim Benzema training with teammates. EPA

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  France attacker Ousmane Dembele. AFP

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  France attacker Kylian Mbappe. EPA

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

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  France defender Ibrahima Konate. Getty

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  France's Karim Benzema during training. Reuters

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  France attacker Olivier Giroud receives treatment on an injury. EPA

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  France manager Didier Deschamps talks to his players. Getty

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  France midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. Getty

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  France's Karim Benzema watches Raphael Varane. AFP

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  France attacker Ousmane Dembele. EPA

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  France's Karim Benzema during training. EPA

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  France's Karim Benzema. EPA

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  France manager Didier Deschamps talks to his players. EPA

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  Theo Hernandez of France in action during training. Getty

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  France manager Didier Deschamps. AFP

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  France forward Antoine Griezmann nutmegs Matteo Guendouzi. Getty

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  The France squad stretch during training. EPA

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  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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  Marseille's Jordan Veretout, salary not known. AP