Injuries to several star soccer players are increasing in the lead-up to the upcoming World Cup. Lionel Messi is among the latest concerns. Earlier, Lamine Yamal was also on the list of injured players.
Kylian Mbappé and Mohamed Salah have recovered from their injuries just in time for the tournament. The World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Messi’s Latest Injury
Attention has turned to Messi, the renowned Argentine player, who left the field due to a suspected hamstring issue during a Major League Soccer match for Inter Miami.
Yamal Set to Return
Lamine Yamal, Spain’s rising star, missed the closing weeks of the season for Barcelona due to a muscle injury. He is expected to recover and participate in the World Cup.
High-Profile Players Out of the World Cup
Not all players are as lucky. Hugo Ekitike, a French striker, suffered an Achilles injury in April. This injury requires extensive recovery time, preventing his participation in the tournament and potentially affecting his next season with Liverpool.
Brazilian players Rodrygo and Éder Militão are confirmed to be out. Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry will miss the World Cup after picking up an adductor injury during training.
Concerns Over Player Schedules
Players and coaches have raised concerns regarding the intense schedules. The expanded World Cup follows a year after the enlarged Club World Cup. The Champions League has also seen recent expansions.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta warned that the demands on players are “an accident waiting to happen.”
With the World Cup approaching, athletes face pressure to stay injury-free before the event starts.
Confirmed World Cup Absences
- Argentina: Joaquín Panichelli (ACL)
- Brazil: Éder Militão (hamstring), Rodrygo (ACL)
- England: Ben White (medial ligament)
- France: Hugo Ekitike (Achilles)
- Germany: Serge Gnabry (adductor)
- Netherlands: Xavi Simons (ACL)
- United States: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Patrick Agyemang (Achilles)
Players to Keep an Eye On
- Algeria: Goalkeeper Luca Zidane has a facial injury from a collision.
- Argentina: Cristian Romero is dealing with a knee issue. No recovery timeline is yet available from Tottenham.
- Canada: Alphonso Davies sustained a hamstring injury ahead of the tournament.
- Croatia: Although Luka Modrić suffered a cheekbone fracture, he returned to play in time. Joško Gvardiol resumed training after a leg break.
- Morocco: Achraf Hakimi has a right thigh injury.
- United States: Johnny Cardoso sprained his ankle in training. Chris Richards has torn ankle ligaments.
A World Cup signage view at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles adds to the pre-tournament atmosphere.
Source: Luke Hales / Getty Images