France and Arsenal defender William Saliba was forced off the pitch during the World Cup semi-final match against Spain, with initial reports suggesting a back injury.
Saliba was running with the ball in his own half when he suddenly pulled up and fell to the ground, appearing to be in significant pain. He then kicked the ball out of play and was seen speaking with fellow defender Dayot Upamecano. French football journalist Julien Laurens reported that Saliba stated, "My back is gone, my back is gone."
Maxence Lacroix was substituted onto the field for Saliba. The injury raises concerns for France regarding the remainder of Saliba's World Cup campaign and will undoubtedly be a worry for Arsenal as they prepare to defend their Premier League title. The Gunners are scheduled to face Manchester City in the Community Shield on August 16 and begin their Premier League season against Coventry on August 21.
This incident follows Saliba's own comments during the World Cup group stage, where he acknowledged managing a back problem. At the time, he stated, "I've had some minor niggles for several months. I've been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. But the coaching staff are handling it very well. The World Cup comes around only once every four years, so you've got to grit your teeth. I'm not at 100 percent, but there are plenty of players who aren't at 100 per cent either. You can't make excuses."