Spanish giants Real Madrid are said to be annoyed with 2022 Ballon d'Or winner Karim Benzema, who has not played in their last five LaLiga matches ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
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Though he has missed many games this season through injury, the 34-year-old has been named in Didier Deschamps' French squad that is set to make the trip to Qatar.
Benzema has reportedly been suffering from a muscle injury but is likely to be key for Les Bleus in the Middle East, where he is expected to start for the world champions alongside Kylian Mbappe.
With his fitness issues having coincided with a poor run of results domestically for Real, Sport claims the 14-time UEFA Champions League winners suspect the striker could be delaying his return to ensure his readiness for the World Cup.
It is believed that his absence is causing a stir behind the scenes, with club legend Guti recently airing his annoyance with the situation involving his former teammate.
The report suggests that cracks could be beginning to appear in Benzema and Real's relationship, which began in 2009 when the then-promising talent joined the side from Olympique Lyon.
Brazilian winger Rodrygo has had to play centrally for the Spanish giants with Benzema sidelined, with the 21-year-old having failed to score in his last three league appearance.
Benzema, meanwhile, is set to only return for Real after the tournament in Qatar after Didier Deschamps said this week that he is hopeful that the forward will be fit to play against Australia in their first group game.
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