Holder France rocked as injury rules out Benzema

DOHA

France’s hopes of successfully defending the World Cup were dealt a huge blow late on Nov. 19 as Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was ruled out of the tournament in Qatar with an injured left thigh.

The 34-year-old Real Madrid striker had been struggling with the injury for some time and had played less than half an hour of football in his club’s last six games before the World Cup.

On Nov. 19, he took part in full training for the first time since the World Cup holder gathered last week ahead of the tournament.

He was forced to withdraw from the session at the home stadium of Qatari champion Al Sadd with the injury and was taken for tests.

The French Football Federation (FFF) later said in a statement that the injury “will require a recovery period of three weeks,” ruling out any prospect of him being fully fit for the tournament which finishes on Dec. 18.

“I am extremely sad for Karim, for whom this World Cup was a major objective,” France coach Didier Deschamps was quoted as saying in the FFF statement.

“Despite this new blow for the France team I have full faith in my squad. We will do all we can to rise to the huge challenge that awaits us.”

Deschamps can still call up a replacement for an injured player until tonight, on the eve of the first game.

France begins its defense of the trophy tomorrow, when it takes on Australia in Al Wakrah.