France hopes that Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane will be ready to play in their first World Cup game against Australia.
Benzema has been having trouble with his thigh, and Varane is getting better after hurting his leg.
Both players worked out separately from the rest of the France team on Thursday evening at the home stadium of Qatari champions Al Sadd.
“Karim and Raphael are doing really well,” Rabiot said on Friday. “They trained apart because that was the protocol that was in place for them.
“They are good and are really keen to play, but I don’t know if they will be involved in the first match.”
The striker for Real Madrid, Benzema, who won the Ballon d’Or last month, played less than 30 minutes of soccer in his team’s last six games before the World Cup.
Center-back for Manchester United Varane hasn’t played since October 22, when he left the field in tears after losing to Chelsea.
Because Benzema, who is 34, hasn’t played much recently, Olivier Giroud could replace him when France play Australia in Al Wakrah on Tuesday to start defending their trophy.
“It is clear that it is better when you are playing and putting games together but I think Karim’s case is different,” said Rabiot.
“It is less of a handicap for a striker than for a midfielder, and he is a top-level player who knows how to handle himself.
“I think it’s more down to how he is feeling personally. But if he is not there for the first match he will be there for the second.”
France will also play Denmark and Tunisia in Group D. Key midfielders Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante are already hurt and won’t be able to play in Qatar.
Rabiot, a midfielder for Juventus, will play a key role in Didier Deschamps’ team while Pogba and Kante are out.
Four years ago, he didn’t make the team that won the 2018 World Cup, and he didn’t want to be on a standby list.
“Four years have passed since 2018,” said the 27-year-old. “It is true that it was a major disappointment and I have worked really hard to be here this time.
“I am grateful for all that has happened since my return to the team.”
Photo by EPA/FRIEDEMANN VOGEL
