Karim Benzema

Injury rules out Ballon d'Or winner from World Cup

It's officially been confirmed that France and Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has picked up an injury in training, forcing him to miss the World Cup. 

The Frenchman had only joined his teammates Saturday as he recovered from a previous injury but had to leave the session after sustaining a further knock. According to the French national team, he injured his left quadriceps in training. The precise extent of the injury is unknown, but Benzema will not take any further part in his national team's campaign or preparations.

France moves forward without replacement for injured Karim Benzema

DOHA - France coach Didier Deschamps has decided not to replace injured striker Karim Benzema in his World Cup squad, leaving the reigning champions with 25 players for their title defense.

Benzema trained with the squad for the first time since arriving in Qatar on Saturday but was forced to leave the session early with a thigh injury and scans ruled him out of the tournament.

Asked on Sunday by TeleFoot whether he would replace the Ballon d'Or winner in his squad, Deschamps said "No".

Ranking the best forwards playing at the 2022 World Cup

Every four years the World Cup brings together the world’s best players and Qatar 2022 will not be an exception.

On the attacking front, the exotic winter tournament brings us a combination of new talent, legendary strikers, generational wingers and a pair of GOATs.

In celebration of the World Cup being so close, we rank the forwards who are most likely to make an impact at Qatar.

Team-by-team guide: 2022 France World Cup preview

To prepare you for the tournament, The18 has launched team-by-team previews for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Here’s the France World Cup preview — they’ll play in Group D against Denmark, Tunisia and Australia.

France World Cup 2022 Preview

World Cup Appearances: 16th

Best Finish: Champions (1998, 2018)

The story behind Karim Benzema's broken finger

When you think of Karim Benzema on the pitch, it's hard not to imagine him without the bandage he wears over his right arm. The piece of fabric has become a signature accessory for the Real Madrid striker. However, during the ceremony in which he received a well-deserved Ballon d'Or, people got a good reminder of why he always has to use it. 

Benzema gets his own signature cleats from adidas after Ballon d'Or win

After firing Real Madrid to a Champions League and LaLiga double with 42 goals in 44 games and returning to the France national team with a Nations League title, Karim Benzema beat Sadio Mané and Kevin De Bruyne to the 2022 Ballon d'Or on Monday. To celebrate the occasion, adidas — which has counted Benzema among its stable of athletes for over a decade now — dropped a new signature cleat for Real's captain.

Karim Benzema, Alexia Putellas win Ballon d'Or awards for best players in the world

PARIS - Real Madrid's France forward Karim Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d'Or award for the best men's player in the world on Monday, while Barcelona's Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women's award for a second time.

Benzema, who played a pivotal role in Real's run to the Champions League title last season, is the first French player to win the trophy since Zinedine Zidane in 1998 and the fifth after Raymond Kopa, Michel Platini and Jean-Pierre Papin.

Ballon d'Or-elect Karim Benzema leads Real Madrid to El Clásico win over Barcelona

Real Madrid opened a three-point lead over Barcelona at the top of LaLiga by claiming the season's first Clásico 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday afternoon with goals from Karim Benzema, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo. Ferran Torres got Barça's lone strike.

The18’s Champions League Predictions For 2022-23 Season

The largest club competition in the world returns on Tuesday. Following the draw on Aug. 25, the Champions League groups have been made and play will begin on Sept. 6 when both games in Group G kick off.

The18 staff broke out our crystal balls to make some bold predictions for the 2022-23 Champions League season. Let us know how you feel about our Champions League predictions for 2022-23.

The18’s Champions League Predictions 2022-23

Corey Basciano (Client Experience)

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