France star Franck Ribery has been battling a back injury ahead of the World Cup, but was named in France's final 23-man squad and was expected to get fit enough to play by the end of the tournament. But some bad news came on Friday, with coach Didier Deschamps announcing that Ribery had pulled up injured in training and would not be able to make the World Cup.
Franck Ribery out of the World Cup
France has lost their biggest star just over a week before the World Cup begins.
Alexander Hassenstein
“This morning Ribery stopped during a run,” Deschamps said. “Today, he cannot train. Tests confirm a worsening situation. He cannot play.”
Ribery was set to start and be one of France’s key players, but they will probably have to change their strategy without him. Mathieu Valbuena is similar to Ribery, but was expected to start alongside Ribery at forward, not on the bench.
Clement Grenier also sustained an injury and will not make the trip to Brazil with the France squad. The two injured Les Bleus stars will be replaced by standby players Remy Cabella and Morgan Schneiderlin.
See More:
