Ballon d'Or winner Benzema out of World Cup after injury in training
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Karim Benzema will miss the World Cup after injuring his left thigh in France's training session Saturday, the team announced.
The reigning Ballon d'Or winner sustained the ailment during a sprint near the end of the practice, sources told Julien Laurens of ESPN. He underwent a scan shortly after that revealed the extent of the problem.
"I've never given up in my life, but tonight I have to think of the team, as I have always done," Benzema wrote on Instagram. "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."
Injuries continue to ravage Didier Deschamps' team as it aims to defend the title it captured four years ago in Russia. Benzema, 34, joins the likes of Paul Pogba, N'Golo Kante, Christopher Nkunku, Presnel Kimpembe, and Mike Maignan as high-profile French stars ruled out of the competition in Qatar.
France opens its World Cup defense on Nov. 22 against Australia. Deschamps has decided not to replace Benzema in his squad.
Deschamps said he was "very sad" for Benzema, who also missed the World Cup four years ago when he was exiled from the squad for his alleged role in a sex-tape scandal involving former international teammate Mathieu Valbuena.
Benzema eventually returned to the national team in May of last year to great acclaim, scoring 10 goals in 16 appearances.
He struggled with muscular injuries and fatigue this season and made just one appearance for Real Madrid over the past month, a 27-minute cameo in the Champions League. Saturday was the first full training session he participated in with France since the squad came together Monday.
Combined with Senegal's announcement that Sadio Mane would also miss the tournament due to a leg injury, the top two finishers in the recent Ballon d'Or voting will not take part in this winter's event.
In Benzema's absence, Les Bleus will likely turn to Olivier Giroud to start up front alongside Kylian Mbappe. The veteran striker needs just three goals to surpass Thierry Henry as the all-time leading scorer for France's men's team.