Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has recovered from a thigh injury and could return to Qatar to join the France squad ahead of their World Cup final against Argentina on Sunday.
The Ballon d’Or winner was ruled out of the tournament after suffering a thigh injury and returned home to Madrid to begin his recovery as his chances of competing in the tournament appeared to be over.
The 34-year-old’s muscle tear was given a three-week recovery period, and he left Doha thinking he would be replaced in the squad. Injuries forced him to miss the event alongside Paul Pogba, Lucas Hernandez, Presnel Kimpembe, N’Golo Kante, and Christopher Nkunku.
However, on the eve of France’s round of 16 match against Australia, head coach Didier Deschamps chose not to replace Benzema. Instead, he has worked with 25 players in Qatar, rather than 26, and has taken Les Bleus to the final following a 2-0 win over Morocco in the semifinal on Wednesday night.
Benzema remains listed on the official FIFA squad for the World Cup. After some rest and relaxation, he is back in full training with Real Madrid and, according to Mundo Deportivo, could return to Qatar before the final. Real has reportedly granted Benzema permission, and the ball is now in Deschamps’ court. When asked about the possibility following Morocco’s victory, France’s manager did not respond.
Benzema has 37 goals in 97 appearances for France and was the top scorer in the 2014 World Cup. He did not play in the 2018 World Cup, however, because he was still barred from playing due to his involvement in a sex-tape scandal with then-France teammate Mathieu Valbuena, for which he received a one-year suspended prison sentence and a 75,000 euros fine for complicity in attempted blackmail.
In Benzema’s absence, Olivier Giroud has led the line for France, scoring four goals in five appearances in Qatar. The former Arsenal striker, 36, has surpassed Thierry Henry to become his country’s all-time leading goalscorer. On Sunday, he is expected to play alongside Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Antoine Griezmann once more.
Deschamps used Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani off the bench in the second half against the Moroccans. Thuram came on for Giroud but played on the left before Muani replaced Dembele on the right and scored the second goal of the match.
