Nfter the injury-related absence of RB Leipzig striker Christopher Nkunku for the World Cup in Qatar, Randal Kolo Muani from Eintracht Frankfurt will replace the current top scorer in the Bundesliga. As the French Football Association announced on Wednesday, national coach Didier Deschamps has nominated the 23-year-old. The attacker is currently in Japan with Eintracht and will arrive with the national team in Doha on Thursday morning.
The newspaper “L’Equipe” and the radio station RMC had previously reported that Kolo Muani should join the world champion’s team. The Frankfurt attacker has had two short appearances in the national team and was initially not included in the nomination for the World Cup squad.
“Get well soon, Christo!”
Christopher Nkunku was injured in training on Tuesday. In a duel with his teammate Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), the currently best striker in the Bundesliga with twelve goals sprained his left knee, the French football association said after radiological examinations late Tuesday evening. The defending champion does not want to announce the name of Nkunku’s replacement until the world association FIFA has validated the medical file.
“Get well soon, Christo! This news hurts,” RB Leipzig tweeted immediately after the news from France’s World Cup quarters: “We are with you and know that you will come back stronger!” Nkunku’s RB teammate Timo Werner also missed the World Cup due to an injury.
Nkunku has made eight appearances for the national team, with two assists. The fast and technically highly talented attacker was planned as a backup player under coach Didier Deschamps. The competition, especially up front, is fierce for the Equipe Tricolore.
France meet Australia, Denmark and Tunisia in Group D at the World Cup finals in Qatar.
