Real Madrid and France striker Karim Benzema has confirmed that he will be fine to represent his country at the World Cup despite an injury-hit season.
The reigning Ballon d'Or winner has only made 12 appearances for Carlo Ancelotti's side in all competitions this term, having dealt with a number of physical problems.
Benzema firstly sustained a knee injury against Celtic in the Champions League in September, which ruled him out of three successive matches before a knock kept him out of October's win over Getafe.
The France international has since been absent for five of Real Madrid's most recent six games with muscular fatigue, missing four La Liga matches on the bounce but managing 26 minutes against Celtic on November 2.
Despite already sitting out nine games through injury this term, Benzema has been called up to the France squad for the World Cup as Didier Deschamps's side prepare to defend their title in Qatar.
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There were initial fears that Benzema may have been forced to miss Les Bleus' opening clash with Australia on November 22, but the 34-year-old has affirmed that he will be in "good shape" by then.
"I had a few minor niggles, nothing serious," Benzema recently told Amazon Prime. "There's still time between now and 22 November [France's World Cup opener against Australia]. I'll be in good shape, physically and mentally ready."
Benzema was speaking after returning to boyhood club Lyon with the Ballon d'Or in tow, having represented the Ligue 1 giants for 12 years before signing for Real Madrid in 2009.
"It's magnificent. Thanks to my club Real Madrid, who allowed me to make my dream come true, and to Lyon, my team when I was growing up. It's my city. To see all these people and the fans is extraordinary," the striker added.
Benzema has managed six goals and one assist from 12 matches when fit this season, taking his total for Real Madrid to 329 strikes and 160 assists in 617 outings in all tournaments.
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The 97-cap France international - who has 37 goals and 20 assists for his country - will celebrate his 35th birthday on December 19, the day after the World Cup final.
Having not participated in the 2018 edition, Benzema believes that a World Cup crown would be the ideal gift, adding: "It would be one of the best birthday presents for me. Every match will be a final. We have a very good group, we're going to take it match by match."
Prior to his exile from the national team, Benzema played every minute for France at the 2014 World Cup, scoring three goals and setting up two more in five games as Les Bleus lost to Germany in the quarter-finals.
Deschamps's side will also take on Denmark and Tunisia in Group D as they aim to become just the third nation to win back-to-back World Cups after Italy and Brazil.
Ben Knapton
