Karim Benzema of France has been ruled out of the World Cup due to a thigh injury sustained in training.
Benzema, 34, was named the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League and La Liga.
“I am extremely sad for Karim, who made this World Cup a major goal,” said head coach Didier Deschamps.
“In my life, I never give up but tonight I have to think about the team like I always do,” Benzema said.
“So the reason tells me to leave my place to someone who can help our team to make a great World Cup.”
The French Football Federation states, “The whole team shares Karim’s sadness and wishes him a speedy recovery.”
According to the report, an MRI scan confirmed the injury, which necessitates “a three-week recovery period”.
On Sunday, Deschamps told French television network TF1 that he would not name a replacement for Benzema.
In Group D, France will face Australia on November 22, Denmark on November 26, and Tunisia on November 30.
Injuries have cost the 2018 World Cup champions several key players.
Midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante were left out of the initial squad of 26.
Presnel Kimpembe withdrew on Monday after failing to recover from a hamstring injury; Axel Disasi replaced him, and forward Christopher Nkunku was ruled out on Wednesday after limping out of training. Randal Kolo Muani was called up to fill in.
Raphael Varane, Manchester United’s defender, is hoping to be fit after missing the previous five games.
United forward Anthony Martial is a possible replacement for Benzema, who has been out with a thigh injury since October and has played less than 30 minutes in Real’s last six games.
Saturday was his first full training session since joining the World Cup squad last week.
“Despite this new setback, I have complete confidence in my group,” Deschamps said. We will do everything possible to meet the enormous challenge that awaits us.”
