‘The pain reached an unbearable level’ – Didier Deschamps on William Saliba’s substitution against Spain | OneFootball

If one were to personify the idea of self-sacrifice in sport, the case of William Saliba (25) could be held up as a prime example. Having been struggling with a back injury for several weeks, the Arsenal player dug deep to ensure he could hold his place at the heart of France’s defence throughout the World Cup.

But his body eventually got the better of his willpower, and he was ultimately forced to make way on the half-hour mark of Tuesday’s semi-final between Les Bleus and Spain.

And whilst RMC Sport reported yesterday that the defender had suffered a back fracture, Didier Deschamps, speaking at a press conference today on the eve of the third-place play-off against England, described the 25-year-old’s injury as “problematic”.

“Tests have been carried out; his condition hasn’t worsened. He’s had this since March and has been gritting his teeth, but the pain had reached an unbearable level,” revealed the French manager.

Although this news cannot be considered particularly reassuring, it speaks volumes about Saliba’s resilience, whose return to the pitch is not expected for several months.

GFFN | Léo Aschi