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French striker Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the World Cup because of a thigh injury during training.
Benzema, 34, won the 2022 Ballon d’Or – the award for the best player in the world – after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League and La Liga.
Head coach Didier Deschamps said: “I am deeply saddened for Karim, who made this World Cup the main goal.
“In my life I never give up but tonight I have to think about the team as I always do,” Benzema said.
“So reason tells me I have to give up my place to someone who can help our team make a great World Cup.”
The French Football Federation said: “The whole team shares Karim’s sadness and wishes him a speedy recovery.”
It said the results of the MRI scan confirmed the injury, which required a “three-week recovery period”.
Deschamps told French television network TF1 on Sunday that he would not name a replacement for Benzema.
France meets Australia on November 22, Denmark on November 26 and Tunisia on November 30 in Group D.
The 2018 World Cup champions have lost several key players to injury.
Midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante were not on the original 26-man list.
Defender Presnel Kimpembe withdrew on Monday after failing to recover from a hamstring problem – he was replaced by Axel Disasi – and on Wednesday striker Christopher Nkunku was dropped after limping off training session. Randal Kolo Muani is summoned to replace.
Defender Raphael Varane is aiming to return to fitness after missing Manchester United’s past five matches.
United forward Anthony Martial is an option to replace Benzema, who has struggled with a thigh problem since October and has played less than half an hour in Real’s past six matches.
Saturday was his first full training session since the World Cup gathering last week.
Deschamps said: “Despite this new defeat, I have full confidence in my team. We will do everything we can to meet the huge challenge that awaits us.”
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