As expected, French center-forward Karim Benzema did not participate in Real Madrid's last training session before the World Cup on Wednesday in Valdebebas (north-east of Madrid), noted an AFP journalist on the spot, but his presence at the World Cup (20 November - 18 December) is not in question.
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Benzema and Antonio Rüdiger were the two absent from Real Madrid's collective training on the eve of the reception of Cadiz on Thursday (9:30 p.m.) at the end of the 14th day of La Liga.
The French striker is still bothered by pain in his left thigh, which diminished him in mid-October and which should prevent him from participating in Real's last meeting in La Liga before the World Cup.
The German international defender is suffering from hip pain.
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His participation in the world not compromised
Since receiving his Ballon d'Or on October 17 in Paris, Benzema has not been able to take part in matches against Sevilla FC, Girona and Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, and against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
In his absence, Real totaled two defeats, a draw and a victory.
He came back into play for 26 minutes at the end of the match against Celtic Glasgow, on the last day of the C1 group stage, but "his feelings were not good", detailed Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti after the game.
This physical glitch should not prevent him from being part of France's list for Qatar, which will be unveiled by coach Didier Deschamps on Wednesday evening in the 8:00 p.m. newspaper of TF1.
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Since the start of the season, "KB9" has missed eight out of twenty matches due to injury.
The game against Cadiz will be his ninth withdrawal.
