FOOTBALL
By Ankeres MSK
Posted on June 24, 2026 6:00 pm | Updated on June 24, 2026 12:29 pm William Saliba reveals that he has been playing with physical discomfort for months.
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William Saliba has said that he has been playing through pain in World Cup 2026 but has remained determined to make history for France.
Saliba’s exceptional season so far
William Saliba has had a near perfect season so far this time around. The French center-back won the Premier League title with Arsenal and also reached the Champions League final. However, Arsenal lost the final on penalties heartbreakingly. Despite the loss in the final, Arsenal were exceptional this season. They comprehensively won the Premier League title despite some heavy competition from Manchester City. Saliba was also individually spectacular in the Premier League. He was a key contributor in Arsenal winning the title for the first time in over 22 years.
Saliba’s Premier League stats, as per FOTMOB:
APPEARANCES DEFENSIVE CONTRIBUTIONS TACKLES INTERCEPTIONS
31 192 35 17
After a monumental campaign in club football, Saliba shifts his focus towards international football. As the biggest show on earth, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is in full flow, the 25-year-old is the starting center back for tournament favorites France. And he has been a rock at the back for France in the two games they’ve played so far.
Saliba reveals that he is playing through an injury
As France continue to stride towards the World Cup, Saliba has shockingly revealed that he is playing with an injury.
“I’ve had some minor niggles for several months. I’ve been gritting my teeth because there was the Champions League and the Premier League. But the coaching staff are handling it very well.
“The World Cup comes round only once every four years, so you’ve got to grit your teeth. I’m not at 100%, but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100% either — you can’t make excuses.” Saliba said.
These statements display the kind of player Saliba is. He is willing to play with an injury so he could contribute towards France clinching that elusive World Cup trophy. Furthermore, it is also astonishing how the 25-year-old could perform so well in the Premier League, despite carrying an injury.
What are France’s chances in this World Cup?
It is a widely well-known fact that France are clear tournament favorites this World Cup. Yes, the likes of Spain, Portugal and Argentina possess great squads. But the depth and quality with which France are able to operate looks unparalleled. The team has established superstars in every position along with extremely capable backups as well.
Saliba expertly handles the defense, while the attack is properly stacked with superstar talents like Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Bradley Barcola. That is an attack with some serious steam. And definitely an attack that could cruise to yet another World Cup final. If France make it to the final this time around, it would be their third consecutive World Cup final. Only Brazil and Germany have achieved that feat before.
How serious is Saliba’s injury?
As the French center half mentioned, he has been playing his football with certain physical discomfort on his back for months. So it has to be understood that he is not in the best of situations when it comes to his fitness. It also has to be understood that he is not playing this World Cup because he is 100% fit. He is playing simply because of his commitment towards his national team, despite not being 100% fit.
As reported by Fox Sports, Saliba will most likely undergo surgery immediately after the World Cup. This will be bad news for Arsenal and the Gunners because a surgery in the summer would mean the dependable defender will miss the initial few weeks or even months of the new domestic season.
Author’s opinion
This whole injury situation of William Saliba is not going to be too concerning for the France national team. But it will be a major concern for Arsenal. Because the Gunners are going to be the ones affected if the center-back opts for surgery.
Read Next: Gavi reacts to Spain call-up as Yamal captures the moment
Read More: Lionel Messi injury scare sends Argentina into panic
Also Read: Leighton Baines said no to England World Cup
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Ankeres MSK
Ankeres MSK is a junior football writer at Six Sports, contributing articles that explore key stories and developments from the world of football. His coverage focuses on breaking news, match related narratives, and broader discussions surrounding the sport. Through his work at Six Sports, Ankeres aims to provide readers with well structured football coverage that highlights important moments, player performances, and evolving conversations within the game. His writing is driven by a passion for football and a commitment to delivering engaging content for fans.
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