As he fights to be fully healthy for France’s World Cup campaign, Karim Benzema is “doing so much better,” according to Eduardo Camavinga, a teammate at Real Madrid.
After leading Real Madrid to victory in LaLiga and the Champions League in the 2021–22 season, Benzema won his first Ballon d’Or last month. However, he has had an injury-plagued season thus far.
This season, the striker has made 11 starts across all competitions and scored six goals. However, he missed some games due to a knee injury and then left quadriceps muscle fatigue.
Camavinga is encouraged by his teammate’s progress, though less than a week remain until France kick off their Group D campaign against Australia.
“He’s getting better. He’s doing so much better,” Camavinga told RMC Sport. “I have a very good relationship with him, he helps me a lot at Real Madrid.
“He is a very great player who deserves what is happening to him. I hope he will be ready for the World Cup.
“Sometimes in a match he comes to see me and tells me, ‘If I have the ball you are going to do this run or this run’, so he gives me advice at the right moment.
“He also tells me when to stay in position. He is very good at communicating, he is a leader.”
The French are attempting to retain the World Cup for the first time since Brazil in 1962, but Didier Deschamps’ squad has been plagued by injuries, with N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba sitting out the competition.
Camavinga could team up with Madrid teammate Aurelien Tchouameni in a new-look France midfield if those two veterans of the 2018 World Cup victory are absent, but he has no concerns about their lack of experience.
“Critics are part of life. We don’t have the same experience, but we are keen to show what we are worth,” Camavinga added.
“With our enthusiasm and the experience of the elders, it can make a good mix.”
After Tuesday’s injury to Christopher Nkunku, Deschamps has recalled Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani.
Muani, who has scored eight goals for Eintracht this season, will have the chance to play in his first major tournament as a result of Nkunku’s withdrawal from the World Cup due to a leg injury.
