France Star Considering Retiring at 26 After Horrific Injury vs Australia

France Star Considering Retiring at 26 After Horrific Injury vs Australia

Rene Otinga
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:18 PM
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  • Lucas Hernandez is reportedly considering calling it quits in his football career aged only 26
  • The French star suffered a horrific injury in France’s opening World Cup game against Australia
  • He had to be stretchered off and replaced by his brother Theo as France cruised to a 4-0 victory

Bayern Munich star Lucas Hernandez is reportedly considering calling quits on his football career after suffering yet another injury setback while on international duty.

Hernandez became the fourth player to be withdrawn from the France squad as he was forced off 13 minutes into his World Cup debut.

At the time, Hernandez was seen clutching his knee after he was beaten to the ball by Australia’s Matthew Leckie, and had to be replaced by his brother Theo at left-back.

Lucas Hernandez, France, Bayern Munich, Knee inury
Lucas Hernandez of France is assisted by medical staff after leaving the pitch with an injury during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D. Photo by Simon Bruty.
Source: Getty Images

He joins the likes of superstars Presnel Kimpembe, Christopher Nkunku and Karim Benzema as France superstars who are ruled out of the World Cup.

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It has since been revealed that the left-back has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament on his right knee.

According to French outlet L’Equipe, Hernandez was so distraught that he was considering hanging up his boots.

It reportedly took the effort from his mother and France teammates to convince him otherwise.

Successful operation

The left-back has since undergone a successful operation on his knee and will now embark on the tedious road to recovery.

He is hopeful to make a comeback on the pitch before the end of the season.

“Lucas Hernández was successfully operated on by Prof. Christian Fink in Innsbruck on Thursday evening after rupturing his cruciate ligament in his right knee. The FC Bayern defender will commence his rehabilitation in Munich in the coming days. He suffered the injury in the France national team’s World Cup opener against Australia.” Bayern Munich said in a statement.

Hernandez joined Bayern Munich from Atletico Madrid for a club-record £68million in March 2019.

De Bruyne on Belgium’s chances

Elsewhere, Sports Brief also reported on Belgium’s chances of winning the World Cup as told by Kevin de Bruyne.

Most of the country's golden generation, including Kevin De Bruyne, are nearing the end of their peak years. With other countries getting stronger with younger talent, Belgium's window is slowly closing.

The 31-year-old stressed that his country's chance to win the tournament was in 2018, but things are different now.

“I think our chance was 2018. We have a good team, but it is ageing. We lost some key players. We have some good new players coming, but they are not at the level other players were in 2018. I see us more as outsiders.” He said.
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Rene Otinga
Rene Otinga is a sports journalist with over eight years of working experience in digital media. Rene's experience includes working as a Copywriter at X News Kenya and TUKO.co.ke.
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