In the lead-up to the upcoming World Cup, several prominent soccer players, such as Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal, and Mohamed Salah, have been dealing with injuries. While these stars are anticipated to recover in time for the tournament, others have faced more serious setbacks.
For instance, France’s Hugo Ekitike suffered an Achilles injury in April, which may necessitate more than six months of recovery time, forcing him to miss the World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and potentially impacting the beginning of the next season.
The absence list also includes Brazil’s Rodrygo and Éder Gabriel Militão, who are confirmed to miss the tournament. Additionally, Bayern Munich and Germany’s Serge Gnabry sustained an adductor injury during training, ruling him out as well.
Arsenal’s Ben White will also be sidelined for the World Cup due to medial ligament damage, with the Premier League club confirming his unavailability for the remainder of the season.
Concerns have been raised by players and coaches regarding the toll of a congested playing schedule, especially with the expanded World Cup following the recent revamp of the Club World Cup and the expansion of the Champions League in recent years.
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has expressed concerns, labeling the current player demands as “an accident waiting to happen.”
As the World Cup approaches and the final stages of the season unfold in various top leagues, players are cautiously navigating to avoid injuries before the tournament commences.
Players Excluded from the World Cup:
- Argentina: Joaquin Panichelli (ACL)
- Brazil: Eder Militão (hamstring), Rodrygo (ACL)
- England: Ben White (knee ligament)
- France: Hugo Ekitike (Achilles)
- Germany: Serge Gnabry (adductor)
- Netherlands: Xavi Simons (knee ligament)
- United States: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Patrick Agyemang (Achilles)
Players to Keep an Eye On
Algeria: There are doubts about goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of the renowned French player Zinedine Zidane, after sustaining a facial injury in a recent on-field collision.
Argentina