Karim Benzema training after injury which ended Frenchman's World Cup

Karim Benzema returns to Real Madrid training after injury which ruled Ballon d’Or winner out of World Cup… with French star STILL registered in semi-finalists’ squad

  • Karim Benzema has returned to Real Madrid training following his thigh injury
  • The 34-year-old suffered the injury in France’s first training session in Qatar
  • Benzema’s injury had been expected to rule him out for the whole World Cup
  • The Ballon d’Or winner is unlikely to return to Didier Deschamps’ France’s squad 
  • Click here for the latest World Cup 2022 news, fixtures, live action and results

Karim Benzema has returned to training with Real Madrid after the injury which forced him to withdraw from the World Cup in Qatar, with the Ballon d’Or winner still listed as a part of France’s squad for the tournament.

Benzema was ruled out of the World Cup after sustaining a thigh injury during France’s first full training session in Qatar.

The 34-year-old has been training at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training base since Saturday, according to Marca.

Karim Benzema has returned to training with Real Madrid after recovering from his injury

Benzema is registered to France’s World Cup squad despite leaving the squad through injury

Benzema, who won the Ballon d’Or for the first time in his career this year, has reportedly fully recovered from the injury.

He had initially been expected to be ruled out of action for at least three weeks. 

There were reports last month that Benzema could make a sensational return to the France squad.

Benzema is still on the list of players registered for the tournament, with coach Didier Deschamps having elected not to call up a replacement.

Didier Deschamps previously played down suggestions Benzema could return to his squad

The prospect of Benzema rejoining the French squad appears remote, with Deschamps previously playing down suggestions he could return.

‘It’s not something I’m thinking about now,’ Deschamps said during the group stage. 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.’

Benzema had spent time on holiday in Reunion after being ruled out of the World Cup

Olivier Giroud has starred in Benzema’s absence and scored France’s quarter-final winner

Benzema had reportedly spent several days on holiday in Reunion after Deschamps had ruled out a potential return.

Deschamps’ side are favourites to defend their crown in Qatar, becoming the first side to go back-to-back since Brazil in 1962.

Benzema would receive a World Cup winner’s medal should France triumph.

Olivier Giroud has starred in Benzema’s absence at the tournament, with the 36-year-old having scored four goals in Qatar to date.

The veteran forward scored France’s winning goal in the 2-1 win over England in the quarter-finals. 

The holders are set to face Morocco in the semi-finals tomorrow.

Centre back Dayot Upamecano and midfielder Adrien Rabiot are reportedly at risk of missing the semi-final having sitting out training through illness.




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