Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema has been ruled out of participating at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The French national side has confirmed that Benzema has an injury to the quadriceps in his left thigh which he has not recovered from.
In Benzema’s absence, French manager Didier Deschamps will probably turn to AC Milan’s Olivier Giroud, the only remaining out-and-out striker in his squad for the tournament.
This is the second injury blow that has been dealt to the defending world champions in recent days.
Earlier in the week, RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku suffered a torn lateral cruciate ligament injury in his knee.
Deschamps has called up Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani as Nkunku’s replacement.
Only time will tell if the French can weather the desert storm they find themselves in when they take on Australia in the World Cup opener on Tuesday, November 22.
