Damac Moussa Dembélé, the French winger who is currently recovering from knee ligament tears sustained in training, has been ruled out for France's upcoming Euro 2020 campaign due to his injury.
The 27-year-old had been named as one of the squad's main options to replace the injured Yannick Bolasie at centre-back and has made several appearances for France so far this season.
However, after being assessed by medical staff on Sunday, it was confirmed that Dembélé will miss the tournament due to a torn meniscus in his right knee.
This news comes just days before France host Italy in their opening match of the group stage, which they have already qualified for.
Mdebélé's absence means that he will be replaced by new signing Ousmane Dembélé, who has also suffered from knee injuries but has since recovered.
Mdebélé, who has played a key role in helping France win the UEFA Champions League last year, has been a constant presence in the team during his time with Lyon and has become a key player for the French national team.
He has scored five goals in seven games for France this season and is known for his strong work rate and determination.
Despite his limited playing time, Mdebélé remains confident that he can contribute to France's success in Europe.
"It's disappointing to lose my friend,Bundesliga Tracking but I'm looking forward to the rest of the season," said Mdebélé. "I'm ready to play every day, even if I don't get the chance to play every game."
It's not yet clear when Dembélé will be able to return to action, but the French Football Federation (FFF) has released a statement saying that there is no timetable for his return.
"We are disappointed to announce that Damba Moussa Dembélé will miss the Euro 2020 campaign due to an ankle injury," the FFF said. "We would like to wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in the squad soon."
In the meantime, the FFF has asked fans to support the club and the players, especially Dembélé, through this difficult period.
"We understand how important it is for you to continue your career and we want to extend our best wishes to you and your family," the FFF said. "We believe that together, we can overcome any obstacle and reach our goals."