Maxence Lacroix, vying for a spot on the French team for the World Cup (June 11-July 19), left before the end of the first half in the second leg quarter-final of the Crystal Palace- Fiorentina Conference League, Thursday, after a collision with one of his teammates.
Following Hugo Ekitike’s withdrawal from the World Cup, another French player in contention for Didier Deschamps’ list exited due to injury. Maxence Lacroix, impressive during the last international window in March, was substituted in the 41st minute of the second leg quarter-final between Crystal Palace and Fiorentina on Thursday. The central defender was replaced after a collision in the box with… one of his teammates, Daniel Munoz, which occurred a little earlier. He appeared to have a knee injury.
“Maxence Lacroix cannot continue,” the English club simply wrote in real-time without providing further information. Limping as he walked off the field, the Frenchman returned to the pitch at the end of the match to celebrate the qualification, despite Crystal Palace’s loss (1-2 but 3-0 in the first leg). Oliver Gasner’s players will face Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-final, while Strasbourg will take on Rayo Vallecano.
Contender for the World Cup after impressive debut with the Blues
This is undoubtedly a new alert for the Blues, less than two months before the 2026 World Cup (June 11 – July 19). While his presence in Didier Deschamps’ list, to be unveiled on May 14, is only a hypothesis, the 26-year-old former Sochaux player made a strong impression during the international window in March. Called up for the first time in the last gathering before the World Cup to cover for William Saliba’s injury, he met the staff’s expectations, who appreciated his calm and composure, against both Brazil (2-1) and Colombia (3-1).
“To wear the French team’s emblem, to represent your nation, is magnificent. It’s a great pride. Of course I want to come back,” he declared. While competition in his position is tough, he has emerged as the main backup in case of injuries to players ahead of him in the hierarchy.
Only a few weeks before the World Cup, injuries and physical alerts are obviously particularly feared and monitored for all contenders vying for a spot in the squad. On Tuesday, the French team suffered a huge blow with Hugo Ekitike’s serious injury during Liverpool-PSG (0-2), as he was stretchered off in tears after rupturing his right Achilles tendon, as confirmed by his club. “This injury is a huge blow for him, of course, but also for the French team,” reacted Didier Deschamps in a statement on Wednesday.
