Kylian Mbappe has revealed he played both the World Cup semi-final and final with a back injury he hid from his opponents.
The Frenchman was one of the star turns in Russia winning the young player of the tournament award after scoring four goals to help Les Bleus to a second title.
Mbappe says he displaced three vertebrae in his back in Russia three days before France's victory over Belgium in the semi-final.
The 19-year-old went on to score in the final as France triumphed over Croatia to lift the trophy.
"It was essential not to alert our opponents, otherwise they could have taken advantage of that and targeted this sensitive area," he told France Footballmagazine.
"That's the reason why with the staff and the players we kept it hidden, even for the final."
Mbappe became the youngest player to score two goals in a World Cup game since Pele in 1958, and also became the first teenager since the Brazilian to score in a World Cup final.
The PSG star is one of 10 nominees for Fifa's 'The Best' award alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Luka Modric and French teammate Raphael Varane.
