France coach Didier Deschamps is sweating on the fitness of several key players on Saturday as his team battled a mystery virus on the eve…

By Daily Trust


France coach Didier Deschamps is sweating on the fitness of several key players on Saturday as his team battled a mystery virus on the eve of the World Cup final against Argentina.

With little more than 24 hours to go before the world champions face Lionel Messi and Argentina at Doha’s Lusail Stadium on Sunday, France have been left reeling by a viral outbreak that is believed to have affected five players so far.

Central defenders Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate, and winger Kingsley Coman were the latest players to be laid low by the illness, forced to miss a training session on Friday.

That came two days after Adrien Rabiot and Dayot Upamecano were ruled out of Wednesday’s semi-final victory over Morocco.

Players, staff and other sources close to the French squad have spoken of a range of symptoms affecting the team in recent days including fever, stomach pain and headaches.

“We are trying to take as many precautions as possible, to adapt as necessary and get on with it,” Deschamps said at a press conference.

“Obviously it would be better if this wasn’t happening but we are handling it as well as possible with our medical staff.”

There was a more encouraging bulletin from the French camp later Saturday after all 24 members of Deschamps’ squad took to the field at the start of a final team training.

It was not clear if all players played a full part in the session, however, which was only open to the media for the first 15 minutes.

The virus scare threatens to derail France’s bid to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil achieved the feat in 1962.


Messi mission

Standing in their way are an Argentina team led by Paris Saint-Germain superstar Messi, who is looking to cap his glittering career with the one major title that has eluded him.

Anticipation for the showdown between the European and South American heavyweights is reaching fever pitch, with the cheapest tickets on the secondary market changing hands for more than $4,000.

Argentina fans who have flooded into Qatar for the tournament demonstrated for a second day outside a Doha hotel on Friday, demanding their country’s national federation help them find tickets for the final.

Around 30,000-40,000 Argentina fans have been present at most of the team’s matches in Doha, and Sunday looks certain to be no exception against France.

“It’s like we’re playing at home,” Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said on Saturday.

“We feel it before the match, during the match. It’s like playing in Argentina. That’s a great advantage.”

Martinez, one of the heroes of Argentina’s run to the final after his penalty-saving exploits in a quarter-final victory over the Netherlands, said the South American champions are unfazed at being portrayed as underdogs for Sunday’s final.

“We always like to hear that the opponent is the favourite because we don’t feel superior or inferior to them,” Martinez said.

“People say the favourites are France. But we have the greatest player of all time.”

France’s challenge will be spearheaded by Messi’s PSG team-mate Kylian Mbappe, who at 23 could become the youngest player to win two World Cups since Pele achieved the feat at the age of 21.

https://dailytrust.com/world-cup-final-france-sweat-on-player-fitness-after-virus-outbreak/

You can do it , France

Na tension

Mind games .just kidding

Is it a coincidence that Messi plays PROFESSIONALLY IN France and is about to play the biggest account of the biggest game NATIONALLY WITH France?

I don't know why everyone else doesn't seem to share my wishes to Messi. I love him so much I want him to lift this Cup before he retires. This will make this the best Christmas of the GOAT's life.

Maybe, the higher beings have come to enforce this wish by casting this flu on France. Which reminds me: Was it during the finals of France 98 between France and Brazil that the Brazilian Ronaldo suffered a flu attack throughout the time of the game?

Most of big-game soccer now takes place outside the pitch and 90-something-minute play time. If thou knowest, thou knowest.

See a wonderful way to give a happy surprise to a special Someone in this season: https://twitter.com/RhymespeakC/status/1603021072898707456?t=3iZ1BWux7nf-iaXtjMn8WQ&s=19

Exam fever

Too bad for them, why now


Though I want Messi to win this cup, I just like him

Against all odds

France for the WIN

.

Wahala

too bad

I smell something fishing.

All obidient should deactivate they nairaland Account now

France will still win.

They have all it takes

FIFA trying so hard to give this cup to messi to spat Ronaldo just as they did against Netherlands.

Lol. I reserve my comment. Fifa well done o

Drparts:
All obidient should deactivate they nairaland Account now

what are you still doing here?

hmmm

Wetin be dizz one again now?

Ok

Wetin dem take nah

Oh boy, una no dey sleep?

It would be sad to see messi lose yet another finals.

Agentina must play like its their last football game.

dm dey fear

nothing go stop messi from winning dis cup

d guy dey ready for una make una go quarantine come back

una nvr see anything

Ahhhh

France will be the champion even if all starting eleven players have the virus.
No world cup for Messi