Benzema to miss start of La Liga season

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema has been ruled out of the club’s La Liga opener against Sporting Gijon due to the right leg injury that has kept the French international out of action for the majority of the pre-season.

Benzema has been ruled out of action for the next three weeks and will miss the club’s La Liga opener against Sporting Gijon at El Molinon, but is hoping to be back the following week in the club’s home opener against newcomers Real Betis.

Benzema has only started two games this pre-season, against Manchester City in Melbourne and AC Milan in China, but has struggled to maintain his fitness over the remainder of the games and upon his arrival in Madrid, the player was ruled out of the Audi Cup in Germany.

The Frenchman will not travel with the team for the pre-season match in Norway as the injury is worse than originally expected and will prevent him from joining the team until their second game of the season.

The news also comes as a blow to his would-be suitors in the English Premier League, namely Arsenal, who were hoping the 27-year-old would be available near the end of the summer transfer window, and for a cut rate after reportedly making a €65 million bid for the striker.