Beaten Monday evening during the 13th day of La Liga by Rayo Vallecano (3-2), Real Madrid ceded their throne for the first time this season to rival Barcelona.
For the tenth time since the start of the season, the reigning European champions have had to do without the services of Karim Benzema, injured and therefore forfeited.
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The complete 2022 World Cup match schedule
The recent Ballon d'Or 2022, affected by muscular fatigue in the quadriceps of the left thigh, played again last Wednesday against Celtic before feeling discomfort again on Friday.
So many signals that pose a simple question.
Should we be worried about the striker of the Blues on the eve of the list unveiled Wednesday evening by Didier Deschamps?
The World Cup looms as his ultimate challenge
Karim Benzema with Real Madrid Laurent Lairys / PANORAMIC
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Internally, the staff of the Blues does not appear worried in recent hours and believes that the 35-year-old striker is preserving himself before the biggest meeting of his life.
The World Cup (November 20-December 18) comes as his ultimate challenge after more than six years away from the selection, he who won everything with Real Madrid and has just prevented his fifth Champions League last spring .
Indisputable holder in the attack of the world champions, Karim Benzema is expected to lead with Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezman on the side of Doha.
A package would be experienced as a cataclysm after those already recorded by Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kanté.
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"The lights are green"
Within the France team, which remains in close contact with the player to inquire about his health, the time is not for immense concern.
As is the case for Lionel Messi with PSG and package last Sunday in Lorient, the timing suggests a form of management for elements who know their body to perfection.
Wednesday evening at the 8 p.m. news, Didier Deschamps will definitively remove any form of suspense.
