Rising star for RB LeipzigExpected to compete for starting spot in QatarHurt leg in training
WHAT HAPPENED? Nkunku twisted his leg awkwardly when challenging Eduardo Camavinga for the ball during Tuesday’s session. The RB Leipzig forward immediately signalled he was in pain and departed the training field to receive treatment. France have since confirmed that the injury will prevent him from taking part in the tournament.
THE BIGGER PICTURE: The news is a significant blow for Les Bleus, who previously had Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Presnel Kimpembe ruled out of action in Qatar. Nkunku has been in splendid form for club side Leipzig this season too, scoring 12 times in 15 Bundesliga appearances.
WHAT THEY SAID?: “Injured in training, Christopher Nkunku must give up participating in the World Cup. The whole group shares Christopher’s sadness and wishes him a speedy recovery,” wrote the national team in a statement.
IN THREE PHOTOS:
WHAT NEXT? France are permitted to call up a replacement for Nkunku before their first game against Australia on November 22. Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani seems most likely to get the nod.
Indian batter Ajinkya Rahane reckons Shreyas Iyer would be disappointed after he could not take… Read More
India’s ODI captain Shubman Gill said he respected the selectors’ decision after he was left… Read More
India’s veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane feels there can be an arm-wrestle between Rinku Singh and… Read More
Indian batter Tilak Varma has been ruled out of the opening three matches of India’s… Read More
Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has questioned the selectors for excluding Mohammed Shami in the… Read More
Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting admitted he couldn’t believe Shubman Gill’s omission from India’s T20… Read More