During his last game against Guingamp, Steve Mandanda suffered a severe head-injury that forced him out the field. The French goalkeeper lost consciousness after colliding with the knee of striker Mustapha Yatabare.
As a result, Marseille’s number one was carried off the pitch on a stretcher and will likely need six weeks to recover from the neck sprain and a crack in the first cervical vertebra.
The Blues' number two gets hit in the head during Marseille's win
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Marseille's goalie is carried off the pitch on a stretcher
Consequently, Mandanda will not be able to attend the upcoming World Cup in Brazil. The French goalie tweeted:
“It's with sadness that I announce that unfortunately I will not be able to hold my spot in the World Cup squad.”
C'est avec tristesse que je vous annonce que malheureusement je ne pourrai tenir ma place au Mondial.
— Steve Mandanda (@SteveMandanda) May 18, 2014
Lloris and Mandanda while training for their national team
But as the old adage says: “One man’s misery is another man’s fortune.” In fact, young goalkeeper, Stephane Ruffier, was called up by Didier Deschamps. The French manager decided that the young Saint-Etienne goalkeeper was the best option to replace Mandanda.
The 27-year-old keeper will substitute unavailable Mandanda in Brazil
With Hugo Lloris in good form however, it does not seem wise to worry too much about the second goalkeepers.
VIDEO: watch Mandanda's injury against Guingamp
