France's medical staff had concerns over Karim Benzema's fitness before his withdrawal from the World Cup, according to fresh reports.
The Ballon d'Or winner was expected to lead the line for Les Bleus in Qatar, having missed the 2018 tournament as Didier Deschamps' team triumphed in Russia. Benzema has struggled with a thigh problem over the last month, playing less than 30 minutes of football since October 19, and was officially ruled out on Saturday.
Benzema isn't the only star unavailable for his country. Paul Pogba and N'Golo Kante will also be absent for Deschamps' side, while Senegal forward and Ballon d'Or runner-up Sadio Mane has also been ruled out.
According to L'Equipe (via Get French Football News ), France's medical team had doubts about Benzema's match-fitness and his 'transparency' on the injury. Reports around his World Cup absence made reference to an injury sustained in training on Saturday.
Benzema picked up a thigh injury in a game against Elche in October, but returned two weeks later for a Champions League clash with Celtic. The 34-year-old sustained a separate hamstring problem in that game and has not played since.
L'Equipe suggests the player appeared 'unsettled' in the lead-up to France's opening World Cup game against Australia, even before his withdrawal was confirmed. Benzema's own camp are also said to have concerns over how his injury has been handled.
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"In my life I have never given up but tonight I have to think about the team as I have always done so reason tells me to leave my place to someone who can help our group make a good World Cup," Benzema said in a statement. "Thank you for all your messages of support."
Deschamps has confirmed he will not call another striker up to his squad, despite Benzema joining fellow forward Christopher Nkunku on the injury list. Manchester United's Anthony Martial had been linked with a call-up after missing out on the squad in 2018, but will not be involved.
Eintracht Frankfurt frontman Randal Kolo Muani was called up to replace Nkunku, joining the likes of Olivier Giroud, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann in the squad. Marcus Thuram is also available to Deschamps, as well as wide forwards Ousmane Dembele and Kingsley Coman.
France will begin their World Cup defence against Australia on November 22 - the same fixture with which they kicked off their 2018 campaign, winning 2-1 on that occasion. The reigning champions will also take on Denmark and Tunisia in the group stage, and it is possible they could face Argentina in the last 16 once again after beating them 4-3 at that round in Russia.
