Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Presnel Kimpembe has been forced to withdraw from the France’s World Cup squad due to injury.
The 27-year-old made just 11 appearances for Christophe Galtier’s team across all competitions in the 2022–23 season as he struggled to maintain his club level fitness.
Kimpembe firstly suffered a major hamstring injury in a Ligue 1 win over Brest on October 9, missing eight games for PSG across all competitions.
The centre-back also missed France’s Nations League games in September before returning as captain in PSG’s 4-3 win over Troyes on October 29.
However, Kimpembe returned to the treatment room with Achilles tendon issues, but he recovered in time to play 15 minutes in the weekend’s 5-0 win against Auxerre.
Despite his recent return, Kimpembe has been ruled unfit to play in Qatar, and the 2018 representative has been replaced by uncapped Monaco defender Axel Disasi.
Kimpembe Ruled Out Of World Cup With Injury
A statement from the French Football Federation read: “Presnel Kimpembe will not participate in the World Cup. The Paris-SG defender does not consider himself sufficiently recovered to be able to hold his place in the defense of the Blues in Qatar.
“This decision was taken this Monday morning, in Clairefontaine, after an exchange between the player and the doctor of the French team, Dr. Franck Le Gall, then between the player and Didier Deschamps.
“The staff of the French team salutes the honesty of Presnel and wishes him to regain all of his physical means as soon as possible. Didier Deschamps has decided, to replace Presnel Kimpembe, to call on Axel Disasi. The AS Monaco defender is expected during the day at CNF Clairefontaine.”
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Kimpembe appeared in just one game for France at the 2018 World Cup, a goalless draw with Denmark, and he was an unused replacement thereafter.
The PSG player is the latest major name to be ruled out of France’s 2022 World Cup squad, which also includes Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, and Mike Maignan as they prepare to defend their title.
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