French striker Karim Benzema will miss the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, after sustaining a thigh injury in training.
Benzema won the 2022 Ballon d’Or, which is awarded to the best footballer in the world, after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League and La Liga.
A spokesman for the French national team said he suffered a thigh problem and was unable to participate in the tournament.
“The entire team shares Karim’s grief and wishes him a speedy recovery,” he added.
The French Football Federation said an MRI scan confirmed the thigh muscle injury, “requiring a three-week recovery period”.
France enter Group D and play their matches against Australia on the 22nd, Denmark on the 26th and Tunisia on the 30th November.
Manager Didier Deschamps has until Monday to name a replacement, and the injury to 34-year-old Benzema, who has scored 37 goals in 97 appearances for France, is another blow for the holders.
The France international are now without midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante through injury, while Manchester United defender Raphael Varane is looking to get back into shape after missing his last five games for his club.
Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku was ruled out of the tournament on Wednesday after leaving training, and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randall Kolo Mwani has been called up as a substitute.
Manchester United striker Anthony Martial is one of the potential options that could come in for Benzema, who has been suffering from a thigh problem since October.
The Real Madrid star has played less than half an hour in his club’s last six games.
He underwent a medical on Saturday after leaving training with an injury and it was the first time he had attended a full training session since the World Cup squad assembled last week.
“I’m very sad for Karim, who made the World Cup an important goal,” said Deschamps.
“Despite this new setback, I have full confidence in my group. We will do everything possible to meet the enormous challenge ahead.”
