2014 World Cup Roster Update: Franck Ribery, Clement Grenier Will Not Play for France in Brazil Tournament
France absorbed a huge blow to their campaign in the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup as Franck Ribery and Clement Grenier were both ruled out of the Brazil tournament.
Ribery was included in the 23-man France squad for this year's World Cup, but coach Didier Deschamps announced on Friday that their star midfielder will not travel to Brazil after aggravating his back injury during their latest training session.
The 31-year-old veteran was already making himself ready for France's upcoming pre-World Cup friendly against Jamaica on Sunday, but felt extreme back pain on Friday, and an MRI revealed that Ribery will not be fit enough to play competitively in time for the World Cup.
"I had always hoped, after noting encouraging signs in recent days, to be ready for France - Jamaica," Ribery said in a statement via ESPNFC. "But the extensive tests I underwent on Friday morning reawakened my back pain. The MRI scan I underwent at Rambouillet hospital only confirmed the initial impressions and the increase in pain, and therefore my inability to train and play normally."
Deschamps also announced that Grenier, who has been bothered by a recurring groin problem this season, was also ruled out due to a torn adductor, which will force him to sit out for several weeks.
"He had an MRI scan, which unfortunately showed a tear in the adductor meaning an absence of several weeks," Deschamps said of Grenier.
With Ribery and Grenier out, Deschamps named Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin and Montpellier's Remy Cabella to the final roster.
Deschamps admitted that they are a way better team with Ribery and Grenier, but he expressed confidence that Schneiderlin and Cabella will be able to fill in the void left by their two injured key players.
"These two players were on the reserve list and they are similar to the two players who left us," Deschamps said. "It is not a cut-and-paste, but Morgan can link up play like Grenier and Cabella is closest to the profile of Franck Ribery."
France will open their World Cup Brazil campaign against Honduras on June 15 before facing Switzerland on June 20, and Ecuador on June 25.
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