Summary clip of today's events in sports, 20.11 (Sport1)
The evening before the opening of the World Cup, it became clear that it will take place without one of the best players in the world.
The French Federation announced last night (Saturday) late at night that the fear was confirmed, and that Karim Benzema will not be able to participate in the World Cup due to a torn quadriceps muscle he suffered during the team's training.
Benzema was already carrying another injury that put him in great doubt for the first games in the tournament, but during yesterday's training he suffered another injury, apparently caused by too much load.
Benzema was injured while running, without any other player hitting him, joining a long list of senior players in the French national team who will miss the tournament due to injuries.
Apart from Benzema, the tricolor will also have to manage without Paul Pogba, Angolo Kante, Presnel Kimpamba, Christopher Ankonko and Mike Mannion.
According to a report by French journalist Romain Molina, Benzema's injury causes chaos in the French national team, and increases the distrust that exists between the players and the medical staff.
"I'm not a doctor, I have no idea about medicine, but I can say one thing - there is a complete lack of trust between the players and the medical team, especially when it comes to the protocol of returning from injuries," one of the players on the national team was quoted anonymously.
Another victim of irresponsible professionals?
Benzema (Photo: GettyImages, Jean Catuffe)
Thus, for example, Mike Mannion was instructed by the medical staff of the French national team to recover through a training program completely opposite to that received by his team, Milan.
This made his injury worse, and it is possible that this conduct is also what ultimately hurt Benzema and Christopher Ankonko, who were permanently suspended from the World Cup after training with the team.
"This rift between the players and the medical staff is far from a new thing, but the years pass, and no one is solving the problem," noted reporter Molina.
Either way, it is clear that for France and Benzema this is extremely difficult news, which completely changes the picture of the chances of lifting the trophy for the second time in a row.
Benzema effectively becomes the first Ballon d'Or winner to miss the World Cup since Kevin Keegan in the 1978 World Cup. In fact, the World Cup will be held without the two players who finished with the most votes for the Ballon d'Or, Benzema and Sadio Mane.
For Benzema it is a continuous frustration, and he will miss a third World Cup in his career.
In fact, Benzema has only played in the 2014 World Cup so far, and may have to settle for that.
Even if he continues to play until the 2026 World Cup, he will reach it at the age of 38, after the peak.
"I have never given up on anything in my life, but this time I have to think about the good of the team, as always," Benzema wrote tonight after the official announcement that he would miss the tournament.
"I have to leave the team and give my place to another player who can help us make another great achievement."
The coach of the national team, Didier Deschamps, also lamented the frustrating situation and said that "I am very sad for Karim, because he set this World Cup as a goal. It is a blow for us, but I have full confidence in the existing squad. We will do everything to overcome this and to meet the great challenge that lies ahead before us".
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The one who is expected to get the keys now in the central striker position of the tricolor, is the good old Olivier Giroud - and not everyone is convinced that this is such bad news after all.
With Giroud in the squad, Didier Deschamps could once again field the attacking unit that went all the way to winning the World Cup in 2018, with Giroud alongside Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann.
Giroud even made it to the World Cup after a very good start to the season in Milan, and there are those who are convinced that compared to Benzema, he complements Kylian Mbappe in a better way (with whom he even developed a close relationship in recent months).
Deschamps practiced the team last night for the match against Australia which indeed included Giroud alongside Griezmann and Mbappe, in a 4-3-3 formation.
The line-up practiced by Deschamps: Hugo Lloris, Benjamin Fabre, Ibrahima Konata, Dayo Ofmakano, Lucas Hernandez, Orléans Tchoumani, Antoine Griezmann, Adrien Rabiot, Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe.
fourth house
Group
games
victories
draw
losses
gates
points
1
Australia
0
0
0
0
0-0
0
2
Denmark
0
0
0
0
0-0
0
3
Tunisia
0
0
0
0
0-0
0
4
France
0
0
0
0
0-0
0
France game schedule
Australia (22.11, 21:00)
Denmark (26.11, 18:00)
Tunisia (30.11, 17:00)
FIFA World Cup
news
Tags
Karim Benzema
French national team