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    Christopher Nkunku out of Qatar World Cup after injury in training

    Emma TeeBy No Comments3 Mins Read

    • France star Christopher Nkunku ruled out of the World Cup after an injury in training.

    Christopher Nkunku out of Qatar World Cup after injury in training
    Christopher Nkunku out of Qatar World Cup after injury in training

    As they attempt to defend their World Cup title, France has been dealt yet another physical setback thanks to Christopher Nkunku, who injured himself during training on Tuesday.

    The attacking midfielder from RB Leipzig, who is rumoured to have an agreement in place to join Chelsea next summer, has been in outstanding form for his club over the previous 18 months and was expected to have a significant influence in Qatar.

    However, a resolute challenge from Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid caused him to limp out of a workout on Tuesday, and further scans have provided unfavourable results.

    A statement from the French Football Federation confirmed: ‘Christopher Nkunku will not participate in the World Cup.

    ‘The RB Leipzig forward left Tuesday’s training session before the end after injuring his left knee. The scans taken in the evening unfortunately revealed that it was a sprain.

    ‘Didier Deschamps has recorded the withdrawal of Nkunku and a medical file was sent to FIFA, a regulatory prerequisite in order to replace an injured player in the squad following the submission of the squad list on Monday.

    ‘The name of Nkunku’s replacement will be communicated once the medical file has been validated by FIFA. The whole group shares Christopher’s sadness and wishes him a speedy recovery.’

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    Randal Kolo Muani, a striker for Frankfurt, has reportedly been chosen to take Nkunku’s spot, and the 23-year-old will go as soon as FIFA gives its approval so that he may join the France team.

    Nkunku and Camavinga had engaged in a challenge, and while the midfielder for Real Madrid appeared to make very slight contact with his teammate, the attacker also appeared to have his studs stuck in the ground as his knee gave way.

    Footage of the incident showed Nkunku rolling around in pain as he was consoled by his teammates before hobbling off the training pitch with the help of a physio as a stony-faced Deschamps looked on.

    Nkunku’s injury adds to France’s long list of problems, which already includes the absence from the tournament of players like Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, as well as Karim Benzema’s ongoing illness.

    The Ballon d’Or winner – who continues to train separately – missed Real’s run-in before the World Cup break but told L’Equipe on Tuesday: ‘I’m fine. I had a little pain but no tear or big injury. I can play but not at 100%.’