Injury blow for France ahead of the Euros, Karim Benzema, limps off against Bulgaria

KARIM BENZEMA-FRANCE
KARIM BENZEMA-FRANCE

France have been dealt a major injury blow ahead of the European Championships with striker Karim Benzema limping out of the friendly game against Bulgaria earlier today.

France managed to pick up a 3-0 win, but the Real Madrid striker picked up a knock in the first half, and he had to be taken off.

Benzema has returned to the international fold after six years, and he was expected to make a considerable impact on France during the European Championships.

It will be interesting to see if he can return in time for the opening game of the campaign next Tuesday against Germany.

The true extent of the damage is yet to be determined, and the medical staff are currently assessing his condition.

France manager Didier Deschamps has confirmed that the striker took a considerable hit on the muscle above his knee.

“It’s a knock,” Didier Deschamps said at half-time. “He took a good hit on the muscle above the knee, and he felt that it was hardening, so we took no risk. The medical staff is currently with him.”

Benzema has been in spectacular form this past season with Real Madrid, and he scored 30 goals in all competitions for them.

France will be desperate to have him back before the European Championships, and it will be interesting to see how his injury situation unfolds over the next few days.

If Benzema is sidelined with an injury, France will have to rely on Olivier Giroud as their first choice striker this summer.