France striker Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the World Cup because of a thigh injury suffered in training.
Benzema, 34, won the 2022 Ballon d’Or – awarded to the world’s best player – after helping Real Madrid win the Champions League and La Liga.
“I am extremely sad for Karim, who made this World Cup a major goal,” said head coach Didier Deschamps.
“In my life I never give up but tonight I have to think about the team like I always do,” Benzema said.
“So the reason tells me to leave my place to someone who can help our team to make a great World Cup.”
The French Football Federation said: “The whole team shares Karim’s sadness and wishes him a speedy recovery.”
It said an MRI scan confirmed the injury, which requires “a three-week recovery period”.
Deschamps told French television network TF1 on Sunday that he would not be naming a replacement for Benzema.
France play Australia on 22 November, Denmark on 26 November and Tunisia on 30 November in Group D.
