Heartbreak for Argentina As ‘Important Forward’ Ruled Out of World Cup Through Muscle Injury

• The cold hands of injury have stormed the camp of favourites Argentina with three days left to the start of the 2022 World Cup
• La Albiceleste have been hit with the crushing news of a muscle injury suffered by Fiorentina attacker Nicolás González
• The two-time world champions have been tipped as favourites by bookmakers and begin their title bid against Saudi Arabia on November 22

Argentina have been dealt a crushing blow, following the injury to Fiorentina forward Nicolás González just days before the start of the 2022 World Cup.

González, who was named in Lionel Scaloni's 26-man squad for the Mundial, suffered a muscle injury which ruled him out of the impending global showpiece in Qatar.

The news was made public via Argentina Football Association's verified Twitter account, hours after head coach Lionel Scaloni had hinted there would be alterations to his final list.

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In Gonzalez's absence, Atletico Madrid attacker Ángel Correa has been summoned to replace the 24-year-old forward.

He joins a growing list of players to miss the biggest sporting festival across the face of the earth, which commences on Sunday, November 20.

Despite the devastating news to have hit the Argentina camp, La Albiceleste still remains strong favourites to clinch the 2022 World Cup, owing to their impressive unbeaten run which began in 2019, Sporting News reports.

Nkunku to miss World Cup

In related news, RB Leipzig forward Cristopher Nkunku's dreams are shattered, after he picked up a leg injury in training on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old had already been named in Didier Deschamps' squad ahead of the World Cup tournament in Qatar.

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However, he appeared to have been caught by a 50-50 challenge from Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga at Les Blues’ Clairefontaine training base.

Leo Messi fakes injury

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Lionel Messi faked an injury to troll his teammate during a team training session.

The Paris Saint-Germain star arrived at the Argentina camp in Abu Dhabi on Monday, alongside Juventus pair Angel Di Maria and Leonardo Paredes.

By the afternoon, the 35-year-old joined a public training session where he played his prank - sending fans into a frenzy.