Italy in 2010, Spain in 2014 and Germany in 2018: none of the reigning world champion football teams have made it past the first round of the next World Cup. And this has been going on for sixteen years. in XXIe Only Brazil achieved the feat in 2002 (eliminated in the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup). In 2022, the French national team will try to escape the curse with a revised list compared to the Russian campaign. For various reasons, thirteen The 2018 World Champions will not travel to Qatar (from November 20 to December 18).
The Blues’ most obvious losses are listed Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, trauma packages. The first, who was also excited by the incredible story of blackmail and extortion that unites his entourage, had a kind of fake concern about his presence on the list. Optimism was not in order for Kante, who has been sidelined for a year by a physical, even before the Chelsea player underwent hip surgery in October.
Last minute package, November 14, from Presnel KimpembeReplaced in 2018, another pebble in Deschamps’ shoes. Having barely recovered from an Achilles tendon injury, the Parisian gained momentum after his coronation in Russia.
Benjamin Mendy, a special case
A midfield pillar during Didier Deschamps’ first coronation as coach, Blaise MatuideThe 35-year-old has not changed the blue shirt for three years. He hasn’t played a single game in 2022, even if he hasn’t officially announced his retirement yet – the midfielder is taking on an ambassadorial role at Inter Miami, his last club.
Announcing the 2018 World Cup, defender Samuel UmtitiTop scorer in semi-final against Belgium, continues to struggle with physical deficiencies. In Russia, he played despite a knee problem. Moved to Lecce after his time at Barca, he was injured for the third time match.
Another Lyonel was betrayed by his body. Corentin TolissoThe luxuriant midfield joker is far from his best during the 2018 title run. A survivor of the Lyon Olympics, he only played five hundred and forty minutes in ten games before suffering a hamstring injury a month ago. A 36-year-old veteran Adil RumiA sort of GO in Russia, he no longer has international ambitions despite his fairly successful return to Ligue 1 at Troyes.
others such as Jibril Sidibewhich reproduces failed loans in AEC of Monaco or Athens; Thomas LemarHe fought for Atletico Madrid; Nabil Fekirwho shines with Betis Sevilla but has not really found his place in the national team; Florian Tovin, who went into exile in Mexico; and Stephen NzonziDidier Deschamps disappeared from the radar for a while in Qatar after playing for Al Rayyan.
Finally, away from sporting considerations, Benjamin Mendy It is a very special occasion. The former party, who changed sides in 2018, appears at his trial for rape, attempted rape and sexual assault in England. Having already been in prison for four months, he faces life imprisonment.
Source: Le Monde
Jason Root is a sports aficionado and a writer at Run Down Bulletin. With a passion for athletic competition and a wealth of knowledge on all things sports, he provides in-depth coverage of the biggest games and events in the world of sports.
