France manager Didier Deschamps has confirmed that he has ruled out a 2022 World Cup recall for injured striker Karim Benzema.
Despite dealing with fitness issues during the first half of Real Madrid’s 2022-23 season, the 34-year-old was called up to France’s 26-man squad for Qatar.
Benzema had missed Real Madrid’s last two games before the World Cup break due to muscular fatigue and was initially ruled out of facing Australia on the opening day.
The former Lyon attacker did return to full training with Les Bleus before their match against Socceroos, but he suffered a new thigh injury during the session and was taken for scans on November 19.
Tests later revealed that Benzema’s latest issue would require three weeks to heal, forcing him to withdraw from France’s World Cup squad, despite the fact that Deschamps did not call up a replacement.
As a result, Benzema remains on Les Bleus’ official squad list, and there have been rumors that the striker could be recalled, with his recovery doing well.
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However, according to a recent report, the chances of Benzema returning for the knockout rounds are “almost nil,” and Deschamps has now ruled it out.
“It’s not something I’m thinking about now. I spoke to Benzema after he left the training camp. I leave it to you if you want to have a debate about it. The thought hasn’t crossed my mind,” Deschamps told reporters on Tuesday.
Benzema was expected to return to Real Madrid training on Thursday, but according to a separate report from L’Equipe, he will instead continue his recuperation in an unknown location on the Indian Ocean island of La Reunion.
Benzema is one of several notable names who will not be representing France at the 2022 World Cup, including Presnel Kimpembe, Mike Maignan, Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, and Christopher Nkunku.
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