2022 Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema of France had to exit the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar after injuring his left thigh during team practice on Saturday, the French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed on Saturday.

The Real Madrid veteran, who turns 35 next month, was doing sprints when he felt great pain in his thigh. MRI revealed that he suffered a muscle tear, which can take three weeks to recover. Since France will play against Australia in their first game at Al Janoub Stadium on November 22, Benzema won't be able to make it in time.

"I am extremely sad for Karim, who had made this World Cup a major objective," France's Manager Didier Deschamps said in a statement. "Despite this new blow for the French team, I have full confidence in my group. We will do everything to meet the huge challenge that awaits us."

Benzema confirmed his withdrawal on Instagram as well. "I've never given up in my life but tonight I have to think of the team, as I have always done," he wrote. "So reason tells me to give my place to someone who can help our squad have a great World Cup. Thanks for all your messages of support."

The last time the World Cup happened without the year's Ballon d'Or winner participating in the tournament was in 1978 in Argentina. Kevin Keegan of England won the award that year, but the "Three Lions" failed to qualify for the tournament.

Benzema was only the latest injury that France suffered following Christopher Nkunku of Red Bull Leipzig, Presnel Kimpembe of Paris Saint-Germain, Paul Pogba of Juventus and N'Golo Kante of Chelsea. Deschamps announced on Sunday that he won't recruit any new players to his 25-man squad. He can count on Kylian Mibappe Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud, Marcus Thuram and Ousmane Dembele to play in the forward position.

France won the World Cup championship with dominance in Russia in 2018, but no team has ever defended the title in the tournament since Brazil in 1962. At this edition of the World Cup, Les Bleus are in Group D with Australia, Denmark and Tunisia.