France and Arsenal centre-back William Saliba has admitted that he is not fully fit as he continues to represent his country at the ongoing World Cup.
The Gunners defender played a key role in France’s 3-1 victory over Senegal in their opening match of the tournament. Despite carrying some discomfort, he is expected to hold his place in the starting lineup when Les Bleus take on Iraq on Monday, with a win ensuring their progression to the knockout stage.
Saliba confessed that he has been dealing with persistent pain but is determined to push through it in order to help his team’s pursuit of another World Cup title, just as he has been doing in recent months for his club side, Arsenal.
“I’ve had some minor niggles for several months,” he explained. “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.”
Reflecting on his decision to continue playing despite the pain, he added, “The World Cup comes round only once every four years, so you’ve got to grit your teeth. I’m not at 100 percent, but there are plenty of players who aren’t at 100 percent either, you can’t make excuses.”
The 23-year-old’s commitment has drawn praise from both fans and analysts, who have lauded his resilience and importance to both his national and club sides. With France aiming to secure back-to-back World Cup triumphs, Saliba’s determination to play through pain underscores the team’s hunger and competitive spirit.
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