Flu and France become a joke ahead of Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final in Qatar


Flu and France become a joke ahead of Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final in Qatar

France manager Didier Deschamps

So the virus has affected France in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Makes for great news or gossip as Les Bleus have pressed the panic button ahead of the finale against Argentina to be played on Sunday. Kingsley Coman, Ibrahima Konate, and Raphael Varane, apparently trained away from the rest of the squad on Friday.

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For those who have followed Ripleys Believe It Or Not, this news seems straight out from the script of an American (US) franchise. Quick question, when France was without Coman, Dayot Upamecano, and Adrian Rabiot before the semi-final against Morocco, why did the flu news not break out? Or, is the flu flying in Qatar’s stadia and the hotels a strategy by France to shift the focus away from them as the pressure cooker whistle is blowing?

To be sure, the Western world never runs out of (creative) ideas when it comes to excuses. France has spent almost a month in Qatar, a country that has followed the Covid-19 vaccine policy well. It is well known, the pandemic is now almost endemic in most countries and vaccines have been of great use. To talk of air con in the stadia or hotel emitting a virus is laughable. How did it only enter the French hotel rooms or is this some kind of a joke?

At a time when France should be exulting, they are the defending champions and will deny Lion King Messi the trophy, their virus seems a bit of a joke. It is well known, the immunity of players has to be good. If not, they would not be playing such sharp football, where Kylian Mbappe is being talked of as if he is Usain Bolt in a 100m race at the Olympics.

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Has France sniffed trouble that they now have running noses and are sneezing? Is manager Didier Deschamps now trying a new mental warfare game of sorts that he has excuses ready? France has played with domination and nothing looked wrong with them. Even when they had to leave behind some key players back home in France, there was no cribbing. They also did not moan or groan when they were doing well. In the last two days, news, or gossip, has most fans in splits. The “Karim Benzema is ready” gaffe was also out in the open on Saturday with the player himself adding fuel to fire. Having stayed out all along, to think he will be plonked for the final was hilarious.

Related: Didier Deschamps and Lionel Scaloni – Who would coach their team towards the 2022 FIFA World Cup trophy?

France will have to display warrior spirit against Argentina

France 2022 World Cup
France 2022 World Cup

Ok, worst case scenario, the world has dealt with the Novel Coronavirus since the beginning of 2020. A stage has been reached where competitions happen and players compete even if they are positive. The Aussie women’s cricket team played at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham with a few players Covid positive. Even at the ICC World T20 in Australia, a conservative country stopped fearing the virus.

Has France suddenly developed cold feet how will they stop a marauding Messi ready to give an arm of the foot to win the final and trophy? Do it for Diego chants have reached a crescendo, as Argentina invokes the charismatic champion to win the final. Frankly speaking, France has been caught off-side at this point in time talking about the virus and the reasons for it. The best would have been to wait till Sunday and then break the news.

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When injuries are kept under wraps and players battling a small niggle go on to deliver for the country, if France is alluding at this stage they are unhappy, is shocking. Players battling the flu have to rough it out and medication cannot be taken at random with strict anti-dope control measures in place. Combat sport has seen players battle cuts and wounds and triumph.

Also Read: Kylian Mbappe vs Lionel Messi – How would the French and Argentine squad field defense against their respective MENACES?

The spirit of Muhammad Ali is missing in France. Hope they will play like true champions on Sunday, come what may. Parting note, if France fields a fully fit 11 for the final, the cat will be out of the bag. For now, the world is laughing. Over to Doha, where win or lose, Argentina seems to be getting emotional support from across the world. By the way, there was a rumor, Messi was also slightly under the weather and did not train with the team two days ago. That speculation was related to a niggle, not flu. Good luck, Les Bleus. Please get over the blues.

Also Read: “Why only the French squad,” World Cup Fans go BERSERK after virus spreads across France squad, Varane and Konate AILING

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