France midfielder Franck Ribery has said that missing the World Cup is like a "death in the soul".
The 31-year-old was ruled out of the tournament earlier today after he failed to overcome a back injury, and he has said that 'giving up' on the tournament was difficult to come to terms with.
"It is like a death in the soul that I am forced to leave the France team and give up on the World Cup," he told the national team's official website.
"I always hoped to be able to play against Jamaica, but when I pushed it physically on Friday morning it aggravated my back pain.
"The MRI scan confirmed those feelings and therefore my inability to train and play normally. In these conditions and despite the efforts of the medical staff, who I thank sincerely, my absence was inevitable."
France begin their World Cup campaign against Honduras on June 15.
Written by
Kristian Johnson
Kristian Johnson
