France's Saliba says playing through the pain at World Cup / Photo: FRANCK FIFE - AFP/File
-
Trump 'low-key' bets on economic pressure against Iran
-
Colombia enters 'final phase' of quake search as toll hits 265
-
Pitch invaders take selfies with Fernandes during Man Utd friendly
-
Father-figure Christie helps guide Kounta to European silver
-
No-stress Sabalenka won't fret over lackluster 2026 results
-
McIlroy returns to St. Jude to launch marathon PGA playoff push
-
Hometown hero Hudson-Smith basks in Euro glory
-
Guimaraes makes Arsenal debut in Como friendly
-
PSG down Aston Villa to retain UEFA Super Cup
-
Travis Kelce says wedding to Taylor Swift was 'best night of my life'
-
Trump's spokesperson Karoline Leavitt to step down
-
US stocks mostly up after data shows slightly lower inflation in July
-
'Imposing ignorance': US climate science under siege
-
Caracas protest denounces secrecy of Venezuela transition talks
-
As millions gazed in awe, a swathe of Spain plunged into darkness
-
Hudson-Smith regains Euro 400m title on home track
-
Xavi named first foreign Netherlands coach since 1978
-
Rob Reiner son denies grand jury murder charges
-
NBA triple-double king Westbrook to retire after 18 seasons
-
Spain darkens as solar eclipses races south from Arctic
-
'Trying to bury the science': US climate research under siege
-
Skies darken as solar eclipse heads south from Arctic to Spain
-
Eurovision to bar countries at war from hosting
-
Protest denounces secrecy of Venezuela transition talks
-
Italian teenager Curtis breaks 50m backstroke world record at Europeans
-
NBA's Los Angeles Lakers to be sold for reported $12.5 bn
-
New mum Sjostrom wins 50m butterfly for 18th European gold
-
Lukaku joins Turkish side Fenerbahce from Napoli
-
Solar eclipse darkens Arctic Russia on course for Spain
-
Colombia quake rescue efforts enter 'final phase' as toll hits 239
-
Russian economy rebounds in second quarter despite Ukrainian strikes
-
Brazil orders suspension of Discord livestreams after teen suicide
-
NBA's Los Angeles Lakers to be sold for $12.5 bn: ESPN
-
Tourists rush to Mount Etna as Italian volcano erupts
-
Trump sued over sale of access to Truth Social posts
-
Knot and Venmo Team Up to Make Venmo the Effortless Way to Pay
-
Europe looks to the skies as solar eclipse cast its shadow
-
In Moscow, Russians worry about new fuel shortages
-
At least 44 drown after ferry overturns on Zimbabwe's Lake Kariba
-
New space object 'black hole star' discovered by astronomers
-
Grieving Argentine icon Messi unsure about playing on 'much longer'
-
England captain Root tells players to be 'adults' as he ditches curfew
-
Nigeria kidnap victims escape 'hellfire' captivity beaten, malnourished
-
US inflation slows slightly in July despite elevated fuel prices
-
Google unveils finder tag, new AI smartphone features
-
Total solar eclipse to cast its shadow over Europe
-
US equities gain as inflation report eases fear of rate rise
-
US consumer inflation slows slightly in July despite elevated fuel prices
-
Colombia declares three days mourning for quake victims
-
Warholm on track in bid for fourth Euro hurdles gold
France's Saliba says playing through the pain at World Cup
France centre-half William Saliba said Saturday he has been "gritting his teeth" and playing through the pain at the World Cup after suffering from a back problem for the past few months.
The defender was a key figure in helping his club Arsenal secure their first Premier League title in 22 years last season, but told reporters that he is not operating at "100 percent" in North America as he bids to help France win a third World Cup.
"I've had some minor niggles for several months. 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," Saliba said at a press conference ahead of his country's upcoming Group I match against Iraq.
"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," he added.
Saliba has been following a personalised training programme since the France squad met up for the World Cup but still managed to put in a strong showing in the 1998 and 2018 champions' opening group-stage win against Senegal on Tuesday.
Les Bleus take on Iraq on Monday in Philadelphia, where they can ensure progression to the knockout stages with a victory, before taking on Norway four days later.
B.Godinho--PC
