Karim Benzema has picked up an injury and has been ruled out of the Qatar World Cup, that kicks off today in Doha. Karim Benzema's World Cup dreams are over after he was ruled out of the tournament after suffering an injury in training.
The Real Madrid striker saw his first full training session in the middle-east brought to an early conclusion after he suffered an injury on Saturday. He was then brought in for a scan in Doha and it had been hoped that he would just miss their opener against Australia on Tuesday. However, it was not good news for the 34-year-old, and France have confirmed that he will take no part at the World Cup, as he suffered a thigh injury which will keep him out for three weeks.
Benzema took to Instagram shortly after the announcement to say that he felt it was best to leave his place to someone who can replace him and contribute to their hopes of retaining the trophy. He wrote: “I’ve never given up in my life, but I have to think about the team, as I’ve always done. So it is only right that I leave my place to someone who can help our group to have a great World Cup. Thanks for all your messages of support, Allez les bleus!”
The French Football Federation had previously confirmed Benzema's withdrawal by issuing a statement explaining that the Real Madrid captain "had to stop training after experiencing discomfort in the quadriceps of his left leg. Benzema had an MRI scan at a hospital in Doha, which confirmed an injury to his rectus femoris".
The three-week absence would mean that he would miss all of the group stage, as well as the Round of 16 and quarter-finals. Even then, it would be a huge risk for him to be thrown into an important semi-final or final clash - if France were to make it that far. His withdrawal though has given France manager Didier Deschamps a decision to make on whether to call up a replacement. In reaction to the news, the manager said: 'I am extremely sad for Karim who made this World Cup a major goal. 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”.
The other part of Real Madrid players who have been called up to represent their national teams at the Qatar 2022 World Cup consists of: Carvajal and Asensio for Spain; Camavinga and Tchouameni for France; Modrić for Croatia; Courtois and Hazard for Belgium; Rüdiger for Germany; Vini Jr., Rodrygo and Militão for Brazil; and Valverde for Uruguay. They have already played some friendlies and are awaiting for their first World Cup game.
Friendly:
Jordan-Spain 1-3
Group stage
Spain-Costa Rica (Wednesday, 23 November, 5pm)
Spain-Germany (Sunday, 27 November, 8pm)
Japan-Spain (Thursday, 1 December, 8pm)
Carvajal and Asensio have been named in Spain's squad for the World Cup, both started in the win over Jordan. The forward supplied the assist for the first goal. The group stage kicks off against Costa Rica. After that, they take on Rüdiger's Germany and finish against Japan.
Group stage
France-Australia (Tuesday, 22 November, 8pm)
France-Denmark (Saturday, 26 November, 5pm)
Tunisia-France (Wednesday, 30 November, 4pm)
Camavinga and Tchouameni are all in the reigning world champions' squad. France get the group stage underway against Australia before taking on Denmark and finishing the group games against Tunisia.
Friendly:
Saudi Arabia-Croatia (0-1)
Group stage
Morocco-Croatia (Wednesday, 23 November, 11am)
Croatia-Canada (Sunday, 27 November, 5pm)
Croatia-Belgium (Thursday, 1 December, 4 pm)
Runners-up from the last World Cup, Croatia, are led by Modrić, who will be captaining his country. The Croatians defeated Saudi Arabia in a friendly ahead of the World Cup. Their first match in the group stage will be against Morocco, followed by Canada, before taking on Belgium with Courtois and Hazard in the last match.
Friendly:
Belgium-Egypt (1-2)
Group stage
Belgium-Canada (Wednesday, 23 November, 8pm)
Belgium-Morocco (Sunday, 27 November, 2pm)
Croatia-Belgium (Thursday, 1 December, 4pm)
Courtois and Hazard will represent Belgium in the World Cup. Prior to that, they will play a friendly against Egypt. The group stage kicks off against Canada. Four days later they will play Morocco, and in their third match they will face Modrić's Croatia.
Friendly:
Oman-Germany (0-1)
Group stage
Germany-Japan (Wednesday, 23 November, 2pm)
Spain-Germany (Sunday, 27 November, 8pm)
Costa Rica-Germany (Thursday, 1 December, 8pm)
Rüdiger is in the Germany squad for the World Cup. The madridista did not feature in his country’s warm-up match win over Oman. Their first opponents in the group stage will be Japan, followed by the Spanish team featuring Carvajal and Asensio. They will conclude the group stage with a game against Costa Rica.
Group stage
Brazil-Serbia (Thursday, 24 November, 8pm)
Brazil-Switzerland (Monday, 28 November, 5pm)
Cameroon-Brazil (Friday, 2 December, 8pm)
Vini Jr, Rodrygo and Militão are in Brazil's squad and will take on Serbia in their first game. They will then face Switzerland, before playing Cameroon four days later in their final match.
Group Stage
Uruguay-South Korea (Thursday, 24 November, 2pm)
Portugal-Uruguay (Monday, 28 November, 8pm)
Ghana-Uruguay (Friday, 2 December, 4pm)
Valverde has been named in Uruguay's squad for the World Cup. He will play the opening game against South Korea and then face Portugal. They will then take on Ghana in the last group game.
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