Arsenal defender William Saliba played through France’s entire World Cup campaign despite suffering from a fractured back.
The 25-year-old picked up the injury in a Premier League match approximately two months before the tournament. Despite the severity of the fracture, Saliba continued to feature for France, relying on painkillers and daily treatment throughout the competition.
He was reportedly unable to complete full training sessions and was eventually forced off after just 30 minutes against Spain when his back gave way.
His recovery timeline is still unknown, and it remains unclear whether he will need surgery.
The revelation has sparked fresh debate around player welfare and the physical demands placed on players during major international tournaments.
