The drastic decision of the DT of France after the loss of Karim Benzema

The coach of the French national team, Didier Deschampsannounced on Sunday that he will not appoint a replacement for striker Karim Benzema, who has been ruled out of the World Cup in Qatar due to a muscle injury sustained in recent days.

with a resounding “No” replied the French coach, questioned on the broadcast telefoot on a possible substitution for another player which could take FIFA until Monday, 24 hours before his official debut against Australia from group D (16:00, Argentine time).

The French manager did not want to justify his decision, considering he had enough forwards with kylian mbappe, Antoni Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, kingsley com, Marco Thuram, Randal Kolo Muani Y Olivier Giroud.

Deschamps thus broke with the hope formulated by Benzema of “leave someone who can help our group to make a good World Cup”as he wrote on social media on Saturday, before leaving Doha for Spain to recover at his club, Real Madrid.

Deschamps also sought to eliminate any speculation of Benzema rationing by the medical staff at Les Bleus. “I know that both are looking for controversy. But everything was under control, not even in an acceleration or a crash (he was injured). It could happen that he has a problem, that he is injured. It’s not a relapse , has a problem on the other side (on the other leg)”the coach explained.

“It’s a huge blow, he had done everything possible (to come back) and so did we,” said Deschamps.

The world champions woke up this Sunday without the brand new Ballon d’Or, hit by a new injury, another setback for Les Bleus.“It’s important for us not to give up, to keep working and thinking about the first match against Australia”Griezmann said.

Convalescent for a month, Benzema hopes to see the end of the tunnel on Saturday, participating in his first collective training with his teammates. But he felt pain in his left thigh after “an almost harmless gesture”, “an injury too significant for the deadlines ahead of us,” said Deschamps.

“It’s neither pretty nor does it make you smile,” the coach continued. The loss of the Real Madrid striker hit a team that had already had to do without other players due to physical ailments such as Paul Pogba Y N’Golo Kante, Mike Maignan, Presnel Kimpembe Y Christopher Nkunku.

“But we have a goal, the group knows very well what awaits us. There is a quality and supportive squad; I have faith in them,” concluded Deschamps, who also announced that Raphael Varanowith a thigh injury since 22 October, he “will be available” at the Blues’ debut.

With information from AFP