Paris, France (SportsNetwork.com) - France's World Cup hopes took a hit on Friday as winger Franck Ribery was ruled out of the tournament with a back injury.
Ribery had been struggling with his fitness in the build up to the World Cup, but was still expected to feature for Les Bleus.
However, France head coach Didier Deschamps revealed on Friday that the 31- year-old had aggravated his injury in training earlier in the day and that he would not be traveling to Brazil with the squad.
"Franck had been feeling better," Deschamps told the media. "The increase in intensity worsened the situation. This is a sad day, but we need to recover and prepare for the final friendly."
The Bayern Munich man was a key member of France's 2006 and 2010 World Cup teams and he finished third in the Ballon d'Or voting this past season.
France also announced on Friday that midfielder Clement Grenier will miss out on the competition as well after he was diagnosed with an adductor tear following training on Thursday.
Deschamps confirmed that Morgan Schneiderlin and Remy Cabella will replace Ribery and Grenier in France's 23-man squad, with the coach having already called up St Etienne goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier to take the place of injured netminder Steve Mandanda.
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