FIFA World Cup 2022: France suffer another injury blow; Karim Benzema ruled out

Another big injury setback for the defending champions France as their star striker Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the FIFA World Cup 2022 with an injury to his left thigh.

The French Football Federation informed that the reigning Ballon d'Or winner was forced to leave the training session in Doha on Saturday after he felt severe pain in his thigh during a sprint toward the end of the session. An MRI confirmed a muscle tear in his left thigh and as per the medical team, he would need 3 weeks of recovery time.

It will be for the first time since 1978 that the winner of the Ballon d'Or will not be participating in the FIFA World Cup. The 34-year-old footballer who plays for Real Madrid is the latest to join a list of French stars who are not a part of the Qatar 2022 squad. Due to injury, Les Bleus are already missing out on N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba, and Christopher N'kunku.

A disheartened Benzema on his Instagram wrote, 'In my life, I have never given up but tonight I have to think about the team, as I have always done, so reasons tell me to miss my place to someone who can help our group make a good World Cup side'

France who begin their Group D campaign on 23rd November against Australia is yet to announce a replacement for Benzema.