Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele has been mesmerising and frustrating for Xavi’s side this season but does now have a huge opportunity to shine at the World Cup for France.
Didier Deschamps’s side are without some key players for the defense of their title, most notably Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.
The Real Madrid star has been forced to pull out due to an injury suffered in training and joins Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante, and Christopher Nkunku on the sidelines.
France’s injuries are bad news for Les Bleus but do present Dembele with the chance to play regularly in Qatar and show exactly what he can do, particularly as Didier Deschamps has confirmed he won’t call up a replacement for Benzema.