ionigeria.com Nigerian Newspaper
Seventeen days have passed since Karim Benzema picked up an injury against Elche, and the French forward continues to work away from his Real Madrid teammates at Valdebebas.
The No.9 has been working on the training pitches and doing some ball work, but he’s not yet at 100 percent and is still some way away from getting there. All of this just six days before Real Madrid play Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Real Madrid are hopeful that Benzema will be back with his teammates on either Thursday or Friday, and that he might even play a few minutes against Villarreal on Saturday. But the reality is that he’s unlikely to feature at all this weekend.
Los Blancos had a clear plan, but things haven’t gone as they’d have liked as Benzema continues to recover from his hamstring issue. What’s more, the club know it could blow up at any moment and give them more problems.
Now, Real Madrid are concerned about a possible relapse, and Benzema is arguably the most important player in Carlo Ancelotti‘s squad.
MARCA have learned that there was a small tear in Benzema‘s hamstring, and all the medical staff at the club have been working on him since January 23. The deadlines now are tight and the Villarreal game is almost ruled out for him.
As well, Benzema‘s participation against PSG is now in serious doubt, with it seeming almost impossible that he’ll play 90 minutes against the Ligue 1 side.
Mendy’s improvements
Ferland Mendy, for his part, is in a better situation. He has returned to full training and is more than likely to feature against PSG, though he won’t be rushed to return against Villarreal.
