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Thibaut Courtois, Karim Benzema among Real Madrid absentees for Club World Cup

Courtois, Benzema among Real Madrid absentees for Club World Cup
© Reuters
Thibaut Courtois and Karim Benzema are both been left out of the Real Madrid squad for the upcoming Club World Cup.

Thibaut Courtois and Karim Benzema have both been left out of the Real Madrid squad for the Club World Cup, with Los Blancos not taking any chances over the key duo.

Real Madrid lost Courtois to a groin injury ahead of the 1-0 loss to Mallorca in La Liga on Sunday afternoon, while Benzema is nursing a hamstring problem that he suffered against Valencia last week.

Neither issue is believed to be serious, but the pair will not feature in the Club World Cup in Morocco.

Carlo Ancelotti's side will take on Al Ahly in the semi-finals of the competition on Wednesday evening ahead of a possible final against Flamengo or Al-Hilal on Saturday night.

Thibaut Courtois in action for Real Madrid on August 10, 2022© Reuters

Eder Militao is also on the treatment table, as the Brazilian, like Benzema, was forced off against Valencia last week following a clash with Samuel Lino.

Eden Hazard is back on the sidelines, meanwhile, with the Belgian struggling with a knee problem.

Ferland Mendy and Lucas Vazquez are also out for Ancelotti's side, with the former currently nursing a thigh injury, while the latter is out with an ankle issue.

As a result, Real Madrid will be missing six players for the tournament, but David Alaba is included after returning from injury in the 1-0 defeat to Mallorca at the weekend.

Real Madrid's Lucas Vazquez celebrates a goal with Eder Militao against Cadiz on November 10, 2022© Reuters

The first-team absentees means that there are call-ups for Mario Martin, Sergio Arribas and Marvel, while Mariano Diaz could be given a chance to impress in the final third due to a lack of options.

Andriy Lunin will benefit from Courtois's absence to continue between the sticks, while Luka Modric and Toni Kroos could return to the middle of the park after not being guaranteed starts in recent matches.

Real Madrid will be back in La Liga action against Elche on February 15 before travelling to Osasuna ahead of the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash with Liverpool on February 21.

Real Madrid squad for Club World Cup:

Lunin, Lopez, Canizares; Carvajal, Alaba, Vallejo, Nacho, Odriozola, Rudiger, Marvel; Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouameni, Ceballos, Martin, Arribas; Asensio, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Mariano

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Thibaut Courtois in action for Real Madrid on August 10, 2022
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid35286178225690
2GironaGirona35236675443175
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico35224964392570
5Athletic Bilbao351711757352262
6Real BetisBetis35141384641555
7Real Sociedad341412848351354
8Valencia35139133739-248
9Villarreal35139135960-148
10Getafe351013124148-743
11AlavesAlaves35119153440-642
12Sevilla351011144749-241
13Osasuna35117173953-1440
14Las PalmasLas Palmas35107183044-1437
15Mallorca35714142840-1235
16Rayo Vallecano35714142743-1635
17Celta Vigo35810174053-1334
18CadizCadiz35514162449-2529
RGranada3549223668-3221
RAlmeria35211223570-3517


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