Saliba played the World Cup with a fractured back

William Saliba went through the World Cup with a back fracture. He picked up the injury before the tournament in a Premier League match and played while on painkillers, with daily care from France's medical staff (5). Now he faces back surgery and up to four months out (4). Arsenal will be without him for the start of the season. Your team already knew, but the full picture is only emerging now.

Off to Miami for third place

France left their Boston base camp Friday for Miami, where they face England in the third-place match on Saturday (3) (6). The staff gave the squad an emotional guard of honour at the camp exit (3). Not the game anyone wanted, but it is the one you have.

What was said at halftime against Spain

France went into the break down 2–0 against Spain in the semifinal, and the dressing room got busy. Ousmane Dembele spoke up, and the tactical discussion continued throughout the interval (8). Whatever was said did not change the scoreline. Your team went out 2–0, and the chance of a third straight final was gone.

No Argentina rematch, and it stings

The French squad are disappointed they will not get a rematch with Argentina in the final (7). That 2022 final still lingers, and Spain being the opponent was not the story anyone wanted. Instead, it is England for bronze.

Zidane talk starts early

Marca is already calling it the 'Zidane era' for France (9). Didier Deschamps was set for a record appearance in this tournament, but the noise around his successor is not waiting for his departure. Zinedine Zidane's name is in the air.

Fan reactions

Mbappe's post-match interview has fans talking, he accepted full responsibility as captain, saying you take the glory when you win and the criticism when you do not. A lot of supporters appreciated that, calling it the kind of reaction more players should give after a defeat. Over on r/soccer, the Saliba revelation has landed hard: playing a World Cup with a fractured back on painkillers is the kind of thing that reshapes how a tournament is remembered. And Michael Olise has reportedly told teammates he wants Real Madrid, Madridistas are already discussing where he would fit in the XI. See the Mbappe thread and the Olise discussion.