By RYAN TOLMICH
Every four years, the World Cup unites soccer fans across the globe with a display of top international sides consisting of the world’s best players. However, the injury bug has claimed yet another one of the game’s biggest stars: Franck Ribery.
The 31-year-old French winger has officially been ruled out of the France squad due to back injury. Ribery had recently been on an individual training program away from his teammates and had not featured in any of France’s two pre-tournament friendlies. News of Ribery’s exclusion was confirmed by the French Football Federation on Friday.
“Friday morning, a drive further into the race and sprints showed a sharp pain that forced him to stop the session,” the federation said in a statement. “An MRI taken at Rambouillet hospital in the early afternoon confirmed the sudden worsening of his condition and led the medical staff to conclude his sustainable inability to train and play.”
The news of Ribery’s injury comes just weeks after the UEFA Player of the Year had announced that this would be his last World Cup.
Joining Ribery on France’s injured list is Lyon midfielder Clement Grenier, who will also miss the tournament due to an injured groin. Grenier and Ribery will be replaced on the squad by alternates Morgan Schneiderlin and Remy Cabella.
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What do you think of this news? How will France fare without Ribery? What player will need to step up in his absence?
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