With little more than 24 hours to go before the world champions face Lionel Messi and Argentina at Doha’s Lusail Stadium on Sunday, France have been left reeling by a viral outbreak that is believed to have affected five players so far.
Players, staff and other sources close to the French squad have spoken of a range of symptoms affecting the team in recent days including fever, stomach pain and headaches. “We are trying to take as many precautions as possible, to adapt as necessary and get on with it. Obviously it would be better if this wasn’t happening but we are handling it as well as possible with our medical staff.”
Anticipation for the showdown between the European and South American heavyweights is reaching fever pitch, with the cheapest tickets on the secondary market changing hands for more than $4,000. They will face Croatia, the beaten finalists in 2018, who exceeded expectations in Qatar to reach the semi-finals only to be abruptly halted by an inspired Messi and his protege Julian Alvarez.
Sunday’s final at the 89,000-capacity Lusail Stadium will bring one of the most controversial World Cups in history to a close.
You grasped 😅
Stop playing mind games mate.