Only six days remain before Real Madrid make the trip to the Parc des Princes for their highly-anticipated UEFA Champions League showdown with PSG. Unfortunately, the Spanish giants have been met with a huge concern ahead of that first leg tie.
February 16 is the date for their first encounter in this round of 16 matchup. However, Los Blancos could head to the French capital without their most influential player: Karim Benzema.
It is no secret that the Frenchman is injured. Just over two weeks have passed since the Liga top scorer picked up a hamstring injury in a 2-2 draw with Elche. However, the player and the medical staff were optimistic, believing that the 34-year-old would recover in time for the trip to his home country.
However, Marca reports that the odds of the striker featuring against PSG next Wednesday aren't high. While the Real Madrid no.9 has been training on the pitch and doing ball work, Karim is yet to rejoin the rest of the group and is nowhere near being at 100 percent.
All hope is not lost as Benzema could join up with his teammates in training on Thursday or Friday and make a short cameo in this weekend's clash with Villarreal in La Liga. Despite this, all fingers point to him sitting out the weekend action, which would rule him out from playing the entire 90 minutes in Paris.
The aforementioned Spanish publication reveal that the attacker suffered a small tear in his hamstring. Additionally, the medical staff now fear a possible relapse should the UEFA Nations League winner be rushed back onto the pitch. While Karim is outperforming several strikers half his age, the Frenchman is well into his 30s and thus must exhibit more precaution with his fitness.
Ancelotti's men are top of the league, but Los Merengues boast only a six-point advantage over second-placed Sevilla. Additionally, Real Madrid will look to go as far as possible in Europe this season but will have to overcome a team that boasts the likes of Neymar, Mbappe, Messi, Verratti, Marquinhos, and Kimpembe.
