Qatar 2022: Ancelotti shuts down rumour on Benzema

Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has shut down rumours that Karim Benzema is protecting himself for the World Cup.

Benzema has missed the LaLiga club’s last three games, leading to question marks over whether he is being kept back ahead of the tournament in Qatar.

But Ancelotti told a press conference: “He’s tried [to play], but he hasn’t been able to come back with this discomfort.

“It isn’t much. He’s tried to be available and he hasn’t been able to.”

The Madrid boss added: “Karim is the first to be disappointed. He’s going into playing a World Cup without the minutes he needs to be in good condition. He’s had a problem, it isn’t serious, he’s been working individually but his feeling to play a game hasn’t been good.

“Karim himself is the most disappointed because he’s going to play a World Cup, as Ballon d’Or winner, without many minutes in his legs.”