7/2/2023–|Last updated: 7/2/202301:14 AM (Makkah)
French striker Karim Benzema and Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will be absent from Real Madrid’s Spanish trip to Morocco to compete in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Royal Club, holder of the title 4 record times, will meet Al-Ahly of Egypt in the semi-finals, on Wednesday.
The names of the two players were not included in the list of the team that will leave for Morocco, according to a statement on the club’s official website, on Monday.
Brazilian defender Edir Militao, French full-back Ferland Mendy, and Belgian wingers Eden Hazard and Lucas Vazquez were also absent due to injury.
Benzema was injured in the thigh during the victory over Valencia, last Thursday, in the league before leaving in the 60th minute, and Militao left in the same match after a collision with Samuel Leno in the 36th minute.
On Sunday, Courtois was injured in his thigh during the warm-up period before the match against Real Mallorca, which the Royals lost 1-0, and Ukrainian Andriy Lunin replaced him.
The extent to which one of the injured players will be able to compete in the potential final on Saturday against Al Hilal Saudi Arabia or Brazilian Flamengo will be expected, especially since Italian Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti had previously announced that Benzema would be ready to participate in the Club World Cup.
