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Karim Benzema’s World Cup dream is over after he was ruled out of the tournament following an injury in training.
The Real Madrid forward made an early end to his first full training session in the Middle East after picking up an injury on Saturday.
He was then flown to Doha for a check-up and it was hoped he would miss the opening match against Australia on Tuesday.
However, it was not good news for the 34-year-old, with France confirming he will not feature at the World Cup after suffering a thigh injury which will keep him out for three weeks.
Benzema took to Instagram shortly after the announcement and said he thought it best to give up his place to someone who can replace him and contribute to their hopes of retaining the trophy.
He said: “I’ve never given up in my life, but tonight I have to think about the team as always, so my mind tells me to give up my place to someone who can help our team do a good World Cup. Thank you for all the messages of support.”
This is just the latest setback for France, who already had the prolific RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku is sent off after an injury in training.
Players such as Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe and goalkeeper Mike Maignan were not available for selection due to their own injuries.
Karim Benzema’s World Cup dream is over after an injury on Saturday
Benzema suffered a hamstring injury in his first full training session after earlier fitness problems
Benzema said in a message on Instagram that he had to “think about the team” and withdraw from the squad to make way for someone to come in as a substitute
A statement from the French national team on their social media accounts said: “Karim Benzema has been forced to withdraw from the World Cup.
‘The entire team shares Karim’s grief and wishes him a speedy recovery.’
Reacting to the news, French coach Didier Deschamps said: “I am very sad for Karim, who has made this World Cup a big goal.
“Despite this new blow for the French team, I have full confidence in my group. We will do everything to cope with the big challenge that awaits us.”
The injury means the players who finished first and second in the Ballon d’Or have both been ruled out of the tournament through injury – after The Senegal team withdrew Sadio Mane.
Benzema, who was recently crowned Ballon d’Or winner, has struggled with injuries so far this season for Real Madrid.
The hamstring injury was not a repeat of the knee and hamstring problems that saw him train away from the squad alongside Raphael Varane, who was also a doubt for their first appearance with Australia.
Benzema (centre) did individual training together with Raphael Varane (left)
The Madrid star has been working his way through a customized training program developed by French staff to help him recover quickly from other concerns.
A three-week absence would mean he would miss the entire group stage, as well as the round of 16 and the quarter-finals.
Even then, it would be a big risk for him to be thrust into an important semi-final or final showdown – should France get that far.
His withdrawal, however, gave coach Didier Deschamps a decision on whether to call on a substitute.
Benzema (centre left) is expected to lead France’s attack alongside Kylian Mbappe
Benzema has only made one World Cup appearance for France, in 2014
Deschamps has already been forced into attacking changes after his colleague Nkunku saw his World Cup hopes end after picking up an injury in training ahead of the team’s trip to Qatar.
In his place, France decided to bring in Eintracht Frankfurt star Randal Kolo Muani.
National team managers can make last-minute changes until Monday as players try to avoid injury and nurse themselves closer to kick-off.
Benzema was expected to play a key role in leading an already injury-hit France side to a successful World Cup defense alongside fellow striker Kylian Mbappe.
Benzema is their second goalscorer to be banned from the tournament after Christopher Nkunku
His withdrawal means the first and second Ballon d’Or players will miss the World Cup due to an injury to Senegal’s Sadio Mane.
The only French striker to feature at the 2014 World Cup so far, Benzema was not in the squad during France’s victorious 2018 campaign.
There were concerns at the tournament about the impact of potential injuries with a short break between the stoppage of domestic football and the start of the World Cup.
Senegal star Mane, the man who finished second to Benzema in the Ballon d’Or, is also ruled out of the tournament with an injury he picked up at Bayern Munich.
He was called up to the Senegal squad before it was later decided that he would not be ready to play in Qatar.
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