FIFA World Cup 2022: Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema ruled out of tournament; Takes home an unpleasant record

FIFA World Cup 2022: Karim Benzema's World Cup aspirations were shattered on Saturday when the 2022 Ballon d'Or winner was informed that he would not be able to compete in Qatar due to a thigh injury.

Benzema was taken to the hospital after getting hurt while practising with the France team in Doha. The 34-year-old will be out for three weeks due to a femoral rectus injury, according to an MRI exam. As a result, Benzema was forced to leave the competition right away.

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Team issues official statement

France Football Federation issued a statement saying, “Hit in the quadriceps of the left thigh, the Real Madrid striker is forced to give up participating in the World Cup. Karim Benzema was forced to cut short the collective training session after feeling pain in the quadriceps of his left thigh."

"He went for an MRI at a hospital in Doha, which unfortunately confirmed a femoral rectus injury, which will require a three-week recovery period.

"After having exchanged with Dr. Franck Le Gall, then the Real Madrid striker, Didier Deschamps recorded Karim Benzema's package for the World Cup.”

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Karim Benzema's unpleasant record

On Saturday, the Real Madrid attacker broke an unpleasant record. With his decision to withdraw from the competition this year in Qatar, Karim Benzema made history by missing the World Cup for the first time since 1978.

The last Ballon d'Or winner to miss the major event was Allan Simonsen of Denmark in 1978 because his nation was disqualified from the World Cup. Alfredo di Stefano, the previous Ballon d'Or winner, missed the competition in 1958.

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A post shared by Karim Benzema (@karimbenzema)

For Benzema and his supporters, it was a very devastating moment, and the France striker responded by posting a message on Instagram. The 34-year-old claimed that in order for France to win the World Cup again, a fit player has to replace him throughout the competition.

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