France’s hopes of becoming back to back World Champions have been dealt a severe blow as it has emerged that as many as five stars missed training ahead of the 2022 showpiece against Argentina.
Illness struck the Les Blues camp following their quarter-final victory over England, with Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot both missing their 2-0 win over Morocco to reach the final.
And it has got worse Though that pair have since recovered, Marca have revealed that a further five players remain absent just 24 hours ahead of the World Cup final against Lionel Messi and co.
Starting semi-final defensive pair Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate have both been struck down with illness, while Kingsley Coman was also absent.
In addition, Theo Hernandez missed out through knee injury, as did Aurelian Tchouameni, who has a hip injury according to the French Football federation.
It remains to be seen just who will be able to shake off injury and illness before the final, with Tchouameni, Hernandez and Varane having become key cornerstones of the Les Blues side on the run to the final.
Mbappe to make history?
He could also scoop both the golden boot and golden ball with a good performance, becoming the first man since Paolo Rossi in 1982 to do so.
Mbappe, though, has played down the importance of those accolades.
“The only objective for me is to win the World Cup,” he said.
“That is what I am dreaming of. I didn’t come here to win the Golden Ball. That is not why I am here. I am here to win and help the French national team.
“This World Cup is an obsession for me, it’s the competition of my dreams.”
