Karim Benzema Ruled Out of FIFA World Cup 2022 Due to Injury; Know Details
Breaking: France’s super striker Karim Benzema is supposedly OUT of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. The reigning Ballon d’Or champion has been ruled out of the global showpiece after he suffered an injury to his left thigh while training with his national team was in progress on Saturday in Doha, reported the French federation.
The 34-year-old super striker apparently felt severe pain in his thigh during a sprint at the end of his first training session with the team. Later after he underwent an MRI, the dreaded outcome was confirmed that Benzema had suffered a saddening muscle tear that would cost him 3 weeks to recover.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will now be the very first World Cup, ever since 1978, to not be featuring the current Ballon d’Or champion. It will be beginning on Sunday and will have a run of almost a month before crowning the new champion on December 18.
Benzema has addressed his depressing and sudden withdrawal from the World Cup in an Instagram post, saying,
“I’ve never given up in my life but tonight I have to think of the team, as I have always done,” he said. “So reason tells me to give my place to someone who can help our squad have a great World Cup. Thanks for all your messages of support.”
Karim Benzema Injury Details
What is notable is that the injury that ruled him out from the starter against Australia on Tuesday is very similar to the ones that have been nagging him for the past few weeks. Interestingly, Benzema probably knew about this upcoming injury, which is why he had been avoiding training with his teammates for a while. This was the first time he tried to join and complete a training session with the French squad. However, alas, he still crumbled to the same muscle fatigue he had encountered in the previous weeks.
France’s World Cup banners in Qatar have already suffered after they had been hit with injuries after injuries, ranging from the RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku and Paris Saint-Germain star Presnel kimpembe. And now, Benzema, who had enjoyed a career-best season with Spanish giants Real Madrid CF last season, finished as the top scorer in La Liga with 27 goals and the UEFA Champions League with 15 goals. Only time will tell if the striker gets a hero’s recovery after missing the starter or if his hopes of shining in the World Cup 2022 are crushed to its core.
