France national football team has been plagued with a long list of injuries way before the 2022 FIFA World Cup begins and during the training days and matches of the tournament. Big names such as Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, Juventus’ Paul Pogba, Chelsea’s N’Golo Kanté, Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe, RB Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku, etc. have all been ruled out for the quadrennial tournament for the 2018 FIFA World Cup champion in Russia. To rub salt into wound, Bayern Munich’s Lucas Hernandez has also considered retirement after the centre-back picked up an ACL injury just 10 minutes into the France-Australia clash in Al Janoub Stadium.
On the other hand, the Didier Deschamps-led France has shown class and great depth in their first two games of Group D fixtures in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, that saw the team become the first among all 32 teams to qualify to the round of 16 of the tournament, after consecutive wins over Australia (4-1) and Denmark (2-1). Clearly the team is unbothered by injury worries sustained before and during the World Cup, and their title defence still look promising. Besides, there is a huge boost to the French squad as the last 16 stage looms.
2022 Ballon d’Or Winner Karim Benzema Could Return
The current holder of the Ballon d’Or award and Real Madrid’s captain Karim Benzema suffered a muscle tear during the French squad’s training before their campaign opener against the Socceroos, but the France head coach opted not to replace the talisman with another player, which means he would still be available to play for Les Bleus should he recover on time. According to multiple reliable sources, the 34-year-old forward could make a sensational return to the French squad as he is nursing incredibly well from the injury that many thought he would need at least three weeks of recovery time.
The Lyon-born striker netted 44 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions for Los Blancos while captaining the side to win the La Liga, UEFA Champions League as well as Supercopa de España last season; He has also rejoined the France national team after a six-year hiatus from international football and played for France in the 2020 UEFA European Championship, 2021 UEFA Nations League and 2022 World Cup qualifiers. As the fifth top scorer for France with 37 goals, his presence would increase France’s chances of defending their world title and becoming the first nation to retain the crown since Brazil did it in 1962.
More Attacking Options Should Benzema Come Back
In the last two games against Australia and Denmark, Barcelona’s Ousmane Dembélé, Atlético Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann and Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappé have been given the trust by Didier Deschamps to support AC Milan’s and France’s joint-highest goal scorer Olivier Giroud at the front. Having a much versatile no. 9 in the form of Karim Benzema back for the knockout stages in Qatar could make the French squad even scarier and deadlier in their attack.
With qualification to the Round of 16 had already been secured for Les Bleus, it is unlikely for them to field a strong team in their last Group D fixture against Tunisia. Furthermore, unless Australia is able to beat Denmark with a convincing score line and France losing out to their African opponent, Les Bleus is going to finish Group D as the winner and shall face the runner-up from Group C next week.
Did you know that Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison scored a wonder goal against Serbia in Brazil’s World Cup opener?
(Photo Credits: Stadium Astro)
