The French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Saturday evening that its star striker, Karim Benzema, has withdrawn from the World Cup after injuring his thigh during training in the evening.
The medical examinations carried out on Benzema confirmed a “lesion” in the quadriceps of the left thigh which “will require a recovery period of three weeks”, specified the FFF in a press release.
FIFA regulations allow a new player to be called up until Monday, the day before France-Australia, to make a last-minute replacement in the event of injury.
The Ballon d’Or 2022 participated in his first collective training on Saturday, but he “was forced to shorten the session” due to “pain in the quadriceps of the left thigh”, indicated the Federation.
The renunciation of Benzema is a new blow for the French coach, Didier Deschamps, who has already had to give up Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kanté, Presnel Kimpembe and Christopher Nkunku.
The 2022 Ballon d’Or commented on his package on his Instagram page, assuring that reason dictates that he “give way to someone who can help our group have a great World Cup”.
