Flamengo's Giorgian De Arrascaeta suffered a right collarbone fracture during Copa Libertadores play and will undergo surgery Thursday, putting his World Cup participation at risk.
11:24 AM
Giorgian De Arrascaeta, Uruguay's midfielder and Flamengo player, sustained a fractured right collarbone during a Copa Libertadores match against Estudiantes de La Plata on Thursday, raising concerns about his availability for the World Cup beginning June 11.
The injury occurred 17 minutes into the first half when De Arrascaeta contested a loose ball with Estudiantes defender Ezequiel Piovi and fell onto his right shoulder. He left the field showing clear signs of pain, holding the affected area. After initial examination by Flamengo's medical staff, he was urgently transferred to a local hospital for diagnostic confirmation.
Flamengo confirmed the collarbone fracture late in the match and announced that the 31-year-old midfielder will undergo surgery Thursday in Brazil. The club's goalkeeper Agustín Rossi expressed concern about the injury and his teammate's recovery prospects.
"It pains us to leave with this news about a teammate. We hope he recovers quickly because he is very excited about the World Cup and is a valuable player for his national team," Rossi said after the match.
De Arrascaeta will return to Rio de Janeiro with Flamengo's delegation. The timing of the injury has generated alarm within Uruguay's squad, managed by Marcelo Bielsa, with the World Cup now 42 days away. The midfielder is considered one of Uruguay's key players heading into the tournament.
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