Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has faced a major setback ahead of the World Cup final on Sunday.
Varane is a World Cup finalist once again, this time in United colours, but missed France training with the viral syndrome.
Ahead of the final in which the Frenchman will face his United teammate and fellow central defender Lisandro Martinez, Varane now faces a race against time to be available.
French outlet RMC Sport reports that Varane missed the Les Bleus training session today.
RMC adds that the United man stayed at the team hotel rather than join the rest of his teammates at the training ground for a session.
????????| Raphaël Varane is ABSENT from France training today and stayed inside the team hotel. [@RMCsport]
— central devils. (@centredevils) December 16, 2022
RMC’s report lines up with L’Equipe, who reported earlier in the day that the 29-year-old had been targeted by a bug.
“Raphaël Varane is himself a victim of the viral syndrome that has affected the French squad since the beginning of the week,” the outlet said.
“He is suffering from mild symptoms.”
????????| Raphaël Varane is, in turn, a victim of the viral syndrome that has plagued the French squad since the beginning of the week. He is suffering from mild symptoms. [@lequipe]
— central devils. (@centredevils) December 16, 2022
Along with Varane, his partner in the center of the French team and Liverpool defender, Ibrahima Konate, was also affected by the virus that swept the French team.
The coaching staff and treatment team are said to be watching the couple closely and are keen to have them back in time for selection on Sunday.
????| Raphaël Varane and Ibrahima Konaté are the latest to be affected by a virus that has swept through the French camp ahead of the World Cup final. #FRA #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/7nOCPqFEc2
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) December 16, 2022
Needless to say, it will be a huge blow for France if both Varane and Konate are missing from action against Albiceleste.
The pairing was incredibly solid against Morocco and was probably at the top of Didier Deschamps’ thinking going into the high-stakes affair.
