Fekir suffers cruciate injury
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| AFP |
France international striker Nabil Fekir has been ruled out for six months after rupturing a cruciate ligament in his right knee during Friday night's 1-0 friendly win over Portugal.
The Lyon player was forced off the pitch in Lisbon after just 13 minutes and tests later revealed the extent of the damage, the French team confirmed. Coach Didier Deschamps had feared the worst after the tie which UEFA EURO 2016 hosts French won thanks to a free-kick taken by substitute Mathieu Valbuena five minutes from time.
"It's very sad for Nabil, these are things that happen, in training, in competition," said Deschamps. Here it happened after 13 minutes. Our thoughts are with him."
Fekir, 22, was starting for the first time in five matches for France, but picked up the injury on his own without contact with another player as he moved to try and receive the ball. He was replaced by Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann.
Midfielder Blaise Matuidi said the injury overshadowed an evening where Les Bleus had gotten back to winning ways after three losses in four games. "Nabil's injury was the low point of the evening, we're very disappointed," said the Paris Saint-Germain player. "We're losing a very talented player. I hope he'll be back very, very quickly."
Fekir's loss will also be a blow to Lyon where he was in form so far this season, scoring a hat-trick against Caen a week ago. Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas reacted on Twitter. "My thoughts are with Nabil who I know is much stronger than you think." France have another friendly lined up against Serbia on Monday in Bordeaux.