DOHA, Qatar (AP) — France striker Karim Benzema was reportedly injured Saturday during training in Qatar and is set to miss the defending champion’s World Cup opener against Australia — and possibly the entire tournament.
L’Equipe reported that the 34-year-old Benzema, this year’s winner of the Ballon d’Or, “will not participate in at least the first match” of France’s campaign with a risk of not playing in any games.
The sports paper said that Benzema “felt a sharp muscle pain” in his left thigh in training.
France faces Australia on Tuesday in Group D. Denmark and Tunisia are also in the group.
___
AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
