Karim Benzema and Thibault Courtois were left out of Real Madrid’s squad for Wednesday’s Club World Cup semi-final against Al Ahly.
Captain Benzema suffered a leg injury in a 2-0 La Liga win over Valencia last week and the striker subsequently missed Sunday’s shocking 1-0 loss to Real Mallorca.
Goalkeeper Courtois suffered a groin injury during the warm-up ahead of the loss to Mallorca, leaving Real Madrid eight points behind leaders Barcelona.
None of the players traveled with the Madrid team to the Moroccan capital of Rabat on Monday, and Eder Militao, Lucas Vazquez, Ferland Mendy and Eden Hazard were also absent.
Key players Benzema and Courtois still stand a chance of being ready for Saturday’s final against Flamengo or Al Hilal if Real beat Egyptian Al Ahly.
Los Blancos, who have won the tournament four times in the past eight seasons, will face Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 in two weeks.
Our 22 players are going to Rabat! #Club toilet pic.twitter.com/Mg7fbCfhZl
— Real Madrid FC (@realmadriden) February 6, 2023