France’s 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar has been hit harder than any other participating nation in recent weeks after Didier Deschamps has been stripped of a cadre of star names as Les Bleus look to become just the third nation to ever successfully retain its crown on football’s biggest stage.
Already bereft of the presence of 2018 midfield pair Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kanté who played a pivotal role in helping France earn its second World Cup win, Deschamps was also forced to rule out Paris Saint-Germain center-back Presnel Kimpembe – also through injury – and two nights ago was made to do the same when it came to talented forward Christopher Nkunku.
The RB Leipzig star man was seen in a video clip via RMC Sport colliding with budding Real Madrid starlet Eduardo Camavinga during a training session before Nkunku went to ground in pain while clutching his knee. Soon after, the French Football Federation announced that Nkunku would miss out on the 2022 winter tournament altogether, with Deschamps inevitably replacing the 25-year-old with Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani.
Injured France forward Christopher Nkunku defends Eduardo Camavinga for tackle that ruled him out of the World Cup https://t.co/XB6bPk20Sy
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) November 17, 2022
In the aftermath of the unfortunate incident, Camavinga has been the subject of fan backlash on social media after many were keen to see Nkunku star on the biggest stage after developing into one of the brightest forwards in Europe across his last two seasons in Saxony.
But Nkunku has since lept to the defense of the 20-year-old midfielder while also calling for unity during the tournament in a message posted on his personal Instagram account.
“‘Yesterday evening, following medical examinations, I had to leave Les Bleus and withdraw from the World Cup.”
“‘A thought for my team-mate Eduardo Camavinga, who has been unfairly targeted. The World Cup must be a moment of harmony, not of division.”
“Thank you to all my staff and my teammates for their support. I will be your biggest supporter. Make us proud!”
With France pitted against Denmark, Tunisia, and Australia in Group D, many will expect Deschamps’ star-studded squad to make another deep run at the World Cup, with Kylian Mbappé and Karim Benzema leading the charge.
