Karim Benzema looks set to hand Chelsea a boost towards any chance of signing Cristiano Ronaldo. The Real Madrid star picked up a knock while on international duty with France this month and will now miss the World Cup.
His first full training session in Qatar was abruptly cut short after suffering a thigh injury. Benzema was taken for a scan in Doha and it initially looked as if the 34-year-old would only miss Les Bleu's opener against Australia today (Tuesday).
But the striker's injury is worse than first thought with France confirming that he will take no further part in the nation's defence of their world title. With Real Madrid two points behind table-toppers Barcelona in La Liga, Los Blancos were initially worried that Benzema would be out for some time and that their title charge would therefore falter.
