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According to Le Parisien, Benzema won't be able to play in the World Cup due to a thigh injury.
Benzema was ruled out of France's match against Australia on Tuesday. There was doubt about his participation for the rest of the competition.
Fabrizio Romano @FabrizioRomano“In my life I have never given up… but tonight I have to think of the team as I have always done so reason tells me to leave my place to someone who can help our group to make a great world cup. Thank you for all your messages of support”.
Karim Benzema. pic.twitter.com/uKC1upPMWX
Losing Benzema is a big blow for the French team, which is already without several players. The status of Raphal Varane is in question.
The team has a talented roster that includes Kylian Mbappé, Olivier Giroud, Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembélé, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Eduardo Camavinga, among others.
During the first half of the 2022-23 club season with Real Madrid, Benzema was injured and hasn't played in over a month.
In the lead up to the World Cup, the French national team developed a personalized training program for their players, which they have been doing separately from their teammates in the Middle East.
Benzema was not part of the French team that won the World Cup in Russia and was hoping to help Les Blues win another world title this year.
✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content Benzema will have to wait until the 2026 World Cup in North America to get his chance to win a World Cup with France, though he will be 38 at that point. He has scored 37 goals in 97 appearances.
The opening game of the World Cup in France will be against Australia. The replacement for Benzema needs to be called up by Monday.
France would be the first nation to win back-to-back titles since Brazil did it in 1959 and 1962.
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