Allan Saint-Maximin says he will have mixed emotions when France face Argentina in the World Cup final this Sunday.
Saint-Maximin had been hoping to make a late surge into Didier Deschamps' French squad for the finals in Qatar but was hampered by hamstring and muscle injuries throughout the autumn. Subsequently, he is still waiting for his first senior cap after picking up seven U21 caps between 2017 and 2019.
When asked if he was envious of some of his French pals ahead of the final this weekend, Saint-Maximin said: "When you are religious like me, you just want the best for everyone. "Even if I am not in the squad, I’m very happy because I have a lot of friends there… Kylian (Mbappe), Ousmane (Dembele), Marcus Thuram.
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"I’m really happy for them but for sure, when you think can be there and maybe have the chance to win the World Cup, it’s something big. "It’s painful, especially when you start the season like that."
Saint-Maximin has made a superb start to the season with two assists against Man City and a wonder goal against Wolverhampton Wanderers. But then he was hit with a hamstring injury, ruling him out until November.
He reflected: "When you start the season like that and you play great against one of the best teams in the world Manchester City and you score again and have a very good feeling and the injury happens, it’s very difficult mentally.
"I put in a lot of work to be able to be in the best position with my body and everything to be able to help the team. It is difficult and harder when you have the World Cup goal in your mind."
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