Qatar 2022: Giroud on the cusp of history as Benzema leaves France camp with an injury

Olivier Giroud could break and set a new goalscoring record with Les Bleus at the 2022 FIFA World Cup after Karim Benzema left France’s camp due to an injury.

Benzema, 34, who currently won the award for the best footballer in the world has been battling with an injury that has hampered his playing time at Real Madrid this season.

The former Olympique Lyonnais striker left the France camp in Doha after suffering an injury in his left thigh during training on Saturday evening.

Karim Benzema could still play a part for France at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but the Real Madrid striker will not be playing on Tuesday when they play Australia.

Currently undergoing a scan to find out the extent of the injury, Karim Benzema becomes the second France player after Christopher Nkunku.

The injury, however, could be a blessing in disguise for Milan striker Olivier Giroud who would have been the second striker behind Karim Benzema.

In the absence of Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud will be the go-to guy for France in a repeat of the 2018 World Cup where France won the title.

And this could give Olivier Giroud who is just two goals behind Thierry Henry on France’s all-time goalscoring list to match and set a new record.

France’s all-time leading goalscorers

1. Thierry Henry (51)
2. Olivier Giroud (49)
3. Antoine Griezmann – (42)
4. Karim Benzema – (37)
5. Kylian Mbappe – (28)

The defending champs, France, are in Group D alongside Australia, Denmark, and Tunisia.

France Fixtures at Qatar 2022

France v Australia Tue. Nov. 22, 8 pm
France v Denmark Sat. Nov. 26, 5 pm
Tunisia v France Wed. Nov. 30, 4 pm