The final sprint of European football leaves several injured who will miss the World Cup, such as the Frenchman Hugo Ekitiké, the Brazilian Rodrygo or the German Serge Gnabry, and others who will arrive very just or are doubtful, such as Lamine Yamal, Estêvão or Cuti Romero.
First modification: 04/25/2026 - 02:50
With 50 days to go until the North American World Cup, which will be held from June 11 to July 19, the infirmary does not stop receiving prestigious patients.
Spain: the Lamine Yamal time trial
The cold water fell on La Roja when Lamine Yamal kicked a penalty to score the goal of Barcelona's 1-0 victory against Celta on April 22 and it was broken.
He suffers "an injury to the femoral biceps of his left leg" and will not play for Barcelona again this season.
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The World Cup doesn't seem to be in danger, but the question is whether it will arrive in top form.
Dr. Pedro Luis Ripoll told Cadena Ser that the relapse rate in this type of injury is 30% and called on Yamal, 18, to be "very cautious."
"I see Lamine Yamal at his best in the second phase, it would be the most prudent thing and I think that is what is going to happen," Ripoll said about the World Cup.
Lamine's injury adds to the uncertainty in the European champion regarding several important players currently injured, convalescent or recently incorporated into their teams such as Rodri (Manchester City), Fabián Ruiz (PSG), Mikel Merino (Arsenal) or Nico Williams (Athletic de Bilbao).
Brazil: Goodbye Rodrygo, Estêvão doubts, is Neymar warming up?
Injured between February and March, 19-year-old Brazilian sensation Estêvão suffered a muscle problem again last weekend in Chelsea's 1-0 loss to Manchester United.
The Brazilian is in a situation similar to that of Yamal and will miss the rest of the season, so he would arrive in good shape for the big tournament.
"To be honest, I'm not sure. I just know that he won't be available for us, so I'm sure he has high hopes of making it to the World Cup, but I don't know," Chelsea's interim coach, Calum McFarlane, said on Friday.
His physical problem, together with Rodrygo's absence, confirmed in March, could open the door to the legend Neymar on Carlo Ancelotti's list.
The 10, also suffering from physical problems in recent years, is looking for rhythm with his country's Santos to convince the Italian. His presence with the Seleção in North America has become a national debate.
In addition, Real Madrid center back Éder Militão, who had just returned from a serious injury, suffers another muscle problem and will be out for "several weeks."
Argentina: the tears of Cuti
The world champion in Qatar 2022 also suffers from the rigors of the calendar.
In the March window, during training in Buenos Aires, they lost promising forward Joaquín Panichelli, top scorer in the French championship with Strasbourg, who suffered a second knee ligament tear.
A heavyweight from the Albiceleste was also not lucky, Tottenham center back Cuti Romero, who was injured two weeks ago when colliding with his goalkeeper and has a problem with the cruciate ligament in one knee.
He retired in tears in that defeat against Sunderland and the countdown began until he could be at the disposal of his coach, Lionel Scaloni.
"Romero, above all, loves Tottenham and people have to know that he is suffering from this injury and because he can no longer play for us this season," said his coach, Roberto De Zerbi, with the London club playing to avoid relegation.
Ekitiké and Gnabry, casualties of France and Germany
Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitiké, who seemed to have earned a starting spot in the French team's crowded forward line with eye-catching performances in the March window, ruptured his Achilles tendon and will be out for many months.
France star Kylian Mbappé raised concerns on Friday by asking for a change during Real Madrid's 1-1 draw against Betis in the Spanish League.
His coach, Álvaro Arbeloa, spoke of "discomfort" and his club pointed out shortly after that it had been due to "a muscular overload in the hamstrings of the left leg", ruling out a more serious mishap from the outset.
Serge Gnabry, an important player for Bayern Munich and the German national team, will also not be in North America 2026 due to a muscle tear in his right adductor.
"Like the rest of the country, I will cheer on the kids from home," said the 30-year-old attacker.
To alleviate Gnabry's absence, coach Julian Nagelsmann can count on the progressive return of Jamal Musiala after his serious injury at the 2025 Club World Cup.
Still out, Marc-André Ter Stegen, called to occupy the German goal in the 2026 World Cup, has "very limited" options, according to Nagelsmann, due to a long series of injuries.
Mexico, one of the host countries, ruled out a key goalkeeper, Luis Malagón, while Croatia is crossing its fingers to have defender Joško Gvardiol, out of Manchester City since January due to a fractured tibia.
Real Madrid's Turkish midfielder Arda Güller also joined the list of players affected. He suffers "a muscle injury to the biceps femoris of his right leg" and will be out for several weeks.
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