William Saliba is set to undergo surgery after breaking his leg in the France Under-21 international match against Portugal on Saturday.
The Frenchman was stretchered off during the game and it has now been confirmed that he will be out for four months with a broken tibia and fibula.
Marseille's medical staff had hoped that Saliba could return from injury as soon as the start of next season, but the club have now decided to give him time to fully recover before allowing him to play again.
The defender is currently under contract until June 2024 and has made six appearances for Marseille this season, scoring one goal. He has also represented France at youth level and is expected to be a key player for the team in the future.
Saliba's injury is a major blow for Marseille, who were hoping to challenge for the Ligue 1 title this season. The club have already lost two key players through injury - Nabil Fekir and Ousmane Dembélé - and now face the prospect of losing another star player.
However, the club will need to find a replacement for Saliba quickly if they want to remain competitive in the league. They may turn to younger players or bring in a new signing in order to fill the void left by the Frenchman's absence.
Overall, it is clear that Saliba's injury is a significant setback for Marseille and their chances of challenging for the title this season. However, the club will need to remain positive and work hard to replace the loss of such a talented player.