Raphael Varane

24 Ibrahima KONATE (fra) - 04 Raphael VARANE (fra) during the FIFA World Cup 2022, Semi Final match between France and Morocco at Al Bayt Stadium on December 14, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar.Several France players have caught colds, the French Football Federation said, as they prepare for the World Cup final against Argentina, with Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate the latest to fall ill on Saturday. Centre back Dayot Upamecano and midfielder Adrien Rabiot missed Wednesday’s 2-0 semi-final win over Morocco with the illness. Coach Didier Deschamps refused to panic after Wednesday’s game and said they were being careful to ensure the illness did not spread. Striker Randal Kolo Muani, who came off the bench to score France’s second goal in their win over Morocco, said on Friday: “There’s a little ...

Raphael Varane of Manchester United receives medical attention during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 22, 2022 in London, England.Manchester United’s France defender Raphael Varane is less seriously injured than feared and still hopes to make the World Cup, a source close to the player told AFP on Sunday. Varane, 29, left the pitch in tears with a leg injury during United’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Saturday after falling awkwardly in a challenge with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. There were fears the injury could rule him out of the World Cup which kicks off in Qatar on November 20 but the source said a scan on Sunday had been “relatively positive”. It showed Varane has a small hamstring tear but it is “less serious than feare...

Illness strikes France before World Cup final

France defender Varane’s injury ‘less serious than thought’