Deschamps later informed that he will not call a replacement for Benzema, as he is happy with the squad at his disposal.
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France suffered a massive blow when it was announced that their star striker Karim Benzema will miss the World Cup after tearing a muscle in his left thigh. Les Bleus have already missed some of their important players for this World Cup through injuries, thus the latest development will be a big blow for them. Benzema, 34, is fresh from winning the Ballon d’Or last month but injuries have reduced his game time lately. He was expected to carry his club form to the international level, however, this latest development means he will miss out on the showpiece event.
The Real Madrid forward was earlier training away from the French team. He had his first full training session on Saturday. However, it did not go according to plan, as Benzema had to leave the session early due to an injury. Later, it was confirmed that the Frenchman will sit out the World Cup owing to the injury. The striker himself announced the unfortunate development on Instagram.
Touché au quadriceps de la cuisse gauche, Karim @Benzema est contraint de renoncer à participer au Mondial.
Toute l’équipe partage la tristesse de Karim et lui souhaite un prompt rétablissement 💙#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/cxXFBpgFx8
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) November 19, 2022
“In my life I have never given up but tonight I have to think about the team, as I have always done, so reason tells me to leave my place to someone who can help our group make a good World Cup. Thank you for all your messages of support,” Benzema wrote on Instagram.
Earlier manager Didier Deschamps said in a statement, “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.”
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However, Deschamps later informed that he will not call out a replacement for Benzema, as he is happy with the squad at his disposal. When French newspaper TeleFoot asked whether he would replace Benzema in his squad, Deschamps replied “No. This is a quality group. In everything they do, both on and off the pitch, they are united. I have confidence in them.”
Despite Benzema’s absence they still have good attacking quality up front. With Kylian Mbappe leading the line, they have Ousmane Dembele, Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud to support him. Prior to Benzema’s injury, France had suffered a blow in terms of Christopher Nkunku pulling out of the squad through an injury. Not to mention they are already without N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, while there are question marks over Raphael Varane’s participation.
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