Ousmane Dembélé is at risk of missing several games at the forthcoming Club World Cup. The Champions League winner is in the hunt to win the Ballon d’Or but will be sidelined after suffering a quadriceps injury in his left thigh during the Nations League semi-final against Spain. The PSG player left the France training camp on Saturday and, according to Le Parisien will miss the group stage of the new FIFA tournament and may not not even return to the action until early July.

The PSG striker was voted MVP at the Champions League final and his absence will be a major blow for the Parisian team who make their debut in the Club World Cup against Atlético Madrid next Sunday (June 15). The French champions then face Botafogo and will close their group stage campaign against Seattle Sounders, on June 23.

PSG setback

His absence is a setback for Luis Enrique’s side who were counting on Dembélé in a bid to add to their recent UCL win. In France, head coach Deschamps was criticised for playing the winger just four days after the exertions of the Champions League final and subsequent celebrations in the French capital.

According to Le Parisien, PSG will not be using the transfer market to make up for Dembélé’s absence, as he is expected to return in early July. The transfer market, which is only open for the Club World Cup, closes on June 10, and Luis Enrique has full confidence in his existing forwards. Barcola, who also left the French squad with a knee injury, should be available for the debut against Atlético Madrid in Pasadena on Sunday.

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