France star Karim Benzema ruled out of World Cup after injury in training

France striker Karim Benzema has reportedly been ruled out of the Qatar World Cup after sustaining an injury in training on Saturday. The Real Madrid striker has enjoyed an impressive year and collected the Ballon d’Or last month, so his absence is expected to hurt Les Bleus’ chances this winter.

Benzema has scored five goals and assisted one in seven La Liga appearances so far this season, with his impressive displays over the last 12 months making him one of the first names on the team sheet on the international stage.

However, according to Le Parisien, Didier Deschamps will be without the 34-year-old in the World Cup due to tear in his left thigh injury. Benzema was forced to leave France training early on Saturday after sustaining the muscle problem, with it being deemed that the injury will rule him out of Les Bleus’ opener against Australia.

Though it appears that the problem was worse than first feared for the former Lyon star. Benzema has battled with thigh injuries recently and this instance could not come at a worse time for the forward.