Sadio Mane's dream of playing for Senegal at the imminent 2022 World Cup is in serious doubt as the Bayern Munich striker sustained an injury to his right fibula during his side's 6-1 win over Werder Bremen. The huge blow comes less than two weeks before Senegal's first game in Qatar against the Netherlands.

Bayern's official report confirmed on Wednesday that Mane will be unavailable for Saturday's game with Schalke and further examinations will follow in the coming days. The club also added they will exchange information with Senegal's medical staff.

"I think he [Mane] has to go to the X-ray to see if there is something there because it is splintering easily," Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann told a press briefing. "But I hope that nothing is wrong. I can't say anything for sure yet."

However, according to French renowned newspaper L'Equipe, Mane has already been ruled out of the World Cup. It revealed that the former Liverpool talisman is actually suffering from a tendon injury and is expected to miss several weeks of competition.

"Sadio, I wish you a speedy recovery..." wrote Senegal President Macky Sall on Twitter. "Like I said to you: Sadio, heart of a Lion! All my heart is with you! God bless you!"

Senegal's record goalscorer, Mane just finished runner-up to Karim Benzema for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award in October, and was crowned African Player of the Year for the second time in July.

The 30-year-old converted the winning penalty to give Senegal their first Africa Cup of Nations title earlier this year. It was also his decisive penalty in the qualification playoff final that sealed Senegal's progress to the World Cup.

While Senegal captain Mane's World Cup hopes are hanging by a thread, South Korea skipper Son Heung-min has declared that he will play at the tournament despite undergoing surgery on a fracture around his eye.

The Tottenham striker, who became the first Asian player ever to win the Premier League's Golden Boot last season, suffered the injury in his team's 2-1 win over Marseille in the Champions League earlier this month. 

It raised fears in South Korea that their best player could miss the plane to Qatar. The Yonhap News Agency even revealed that Son would need at least four weeks to recover, but the 30-year-old provided an uplifting update late on Wednesday.

"Playing for your country at the World Cup is the dream of so many children growing up, just as it was one of mine too," Son wrote on Instagram. "I won't miss this for the world. I can't wait to represent our beautiful country, see you soon."

Son also suggested he could play at the World Cup with a protective mask. "When I think of the masks you've been patiently wearing for over two years [due to the pandemic], my mask that I'll be wearing at the World Cup matches is nothing," he added.

"If there is only 1 percent chance, I will look at that possibility."