Karim Benzema, the recent Ballon d’Or winner, has been ruled out of participating in the World Cup due to an injury he sustained in training.
The French international’s first full training session ended his chances of playing in the World Cup after suffering an injury on November 17.
The 34-year-old was thereafter sent to Doha for a scan, which later revealed a femoral rectus damage that will put him out of action for three weeks.
The French national team announced on their social media platforms that “Karim Benzema is forced to give up participating in the World Cup.
“The whole team shares Karim’s sadness and wishes him a speedy recovery.”
This is France’s second setback after prolific RB Leipzig attacker Christopher Nkunku was previously ruled out due to an injury sustained in training.
Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe, and goalkeeper Mike Maignan also make the list of French players who will not be at the World Cup due to injuries.