The injuries come as the World Cup field expands to 48 teams, meaning there will be more games in the 39-day event.
WASHINGTON — Several of football’s star players have been injured, including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Ramin Yamalattracting attention in advance world cup.
In the months leading up to the start of the football tournament, stars such as France’s Kylian Mbappe and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah have been sidelined with injuries. Mbappe and Salah have recovered and are expected to feature during the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico in June.
The focus then turned to World Cup winner Messi, a week away from his record sixth World Cup title, as he recovers from a hamstring problem that led to him being substituted in Inter Miami’s last game before the World Cup on May 24.
Spanish starlet Lamine Yamar, who has missed Barcelona’s final weeks with a left leg muscle injury, is also on the worry list. He has been included in Spain’s final national team squad.
Will Neymar play in the World Cup?
Brazilian star Neymar is being treated for a calf injury in New Jersey and his team has confirmed he will miss two to three weeks and will not play in the exhibition game against Egypt. Brazil’s opening match will be held on June 13.
Selecting Neymar for the 26-man roster is considered risky due to his health. He is Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer with 79 goals, but has struggled since returning from the national team. Torn anterior cruciate ligament of left knee World Cup qualifiers in October 2023.
“He can still improve his fitness before the first game of the World Cup,” coach Carlos Ancelotti said last month. “He has the experience of this type of game, the love for our team, and he can create a better environment for this team.”
FIFA rules allow for the replacement of injured players up to the day before a team’s first match of the tournament. If he plays, it will be Neymar’s fourth World Cup appearance.
The injuries come as the World Cup expands to 48 teams, meaning more games and a condensed schedule.
With the World Cup approaching, players are walking a tightrope before the tournament to avoid injury.
Will Messi play in the World Cup?
Messi is expected to recover before the World Cup.
The Argentina captain worked out alone at the team’s home base in Kansas City this week.
“I love playing football and I will keep playing until I can’t play anymore,” Messi told Argentinian broadcast journalist Joaquin “Polo” Alvarez in a YouTube interview. “I’m very competitive and I like to win at everything, and sometimes I don’t even let my kids win at video games. That’s just my nature and what makes me achieve everything that I have.”
If he and Argentina can retain the World Cup trophy they won in Qatar four years ago, they will become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back titles. It would also strengthen the claims of those who already call Messi the greatest player of all time.
But after more than 20 years playing for Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, Messi’s body is showing signs of wear and tear.
“We all hoped that Messi would arrive safely, but that is not the case. Not only him, but most of the players are not fully recovered yet,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni told Latin American television network D Sports.
Who won’t play in the World Cup?
France star forward Hugo Ekitic suffered an Achilles tendon injury in April that could rule him out of this year’s World Cup. The Achilles heel injury could take more than six months to heal, which could rule him out of the starting XI for Liverpool next season.
brazilian star rodrigo and Ed Militan It must be out. Same goes for Bayern Munich and Germany forward Serge Gnabry Adductor muscle injury during training.
Injuries worth noting:
Argentina: How soon Messi will be involved is unclear. Cristian Romero suffered a season-ending knee injury but has been named in the Argentina squad.
Canada: Star left back Alphonso Davies His hamstring is injured It is uncertain whether he will recover in time for the team’s first game against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Croatia: Veteran midfielder Luka Modric broke his cheekbone April. He returned to play for AC Milan in time for the World Cup, but wore a protective mask. Defender Joshko Gvardiol returned to training with Manchester City in early May after four months on the sidelines. Broken legbut going to the World Cup.
united state: Gio Reina Only made four league starts this season For Monchengladbach, there hasn’t been one since December 19. “He can help because he’s a different player, different talent, and I think in all the rosters you need to have a player like him,” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said.
Brazil: Last week the team doctor said Neymar expected to be marginalized It will take two to three weeks due to a calf injury. Brazil’s first World Cup match will be against Morocco on June 13 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and it’s unclear whether Neymar will be ready to play.
Players will definitely miss the World Cup
Argentina: Joaquin Panicelli (ACL)
Brazil: Éder Militão (hamstring), Rodrigo (ACL)
England: Ben White (medial ligament)
France: Hugo Ekitek (Achilles)
Germany: Serge Gnabry (Adductor)
Netherlands: Harvey Simmons (ACL)
united state: Cameron Carter-Vickers (Achilles), Patrick Agyemang (Achilles), Johnny Cardozo (ankle)
Scotland:Billy Gilmore (knee)
Spain: Fermin Lopez (foot)
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