Karim Benzema is in a race against time to be fit for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar exactly 20 days from now. The Ballon d'Or Winner has been plagued by thigh injuries all season, resulting in his omission from most of Real Madrid's games in September. His club coach, Carlo Ancelotti, is not perturbed by the situation, insisting that Los Merengues will not look to add cover for the injured striker. French fans may not be as composed less than three weeks from the global showpiece.
The exact nature of the complaint that caused the hitman to miss Madrid's clash against Girona on Sunday is listed as muscular fatigue in his quadriceps. That may not sound serious but at 34 years of age, turning 35 in December, Benzema's body may not heal as quickly as it once did. Medical tests came back clear but the player says he is not completely fit. The frontman is expected to lead France's 2018 title defence provided his issues clear up.
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Before the diagnosis of muscular fatigue, Benzema was out for a month with an unspecified thigh problem from the 6th of September to the 2nd of October. Only three games remain for the forward to test his fitness ahead of the midseason break. After Paul Pogba was ruled out of the upcoming tournament having undergone knee surgery, the French faithful will be holding thumbs that they do not lose another star player to the injury table.
Could the French national team be without Pogba and Benzema?
“If wishful thinking could change things,” lamented Pogba's agent, “Paul would be playing tomorrow.” It is not too late for wishful thinking in Benzema's case, for unlike his unfortunate international teammate, he has not yet been medically ruled out. There is time yet for the first French footballer since Zinedine Zidane to win the Ballon d'Or, to make his mark on the tournament in Qatar, the way Zizou did in 1998.
