More headaches for Fernando Santos a month after the start of the World Cup in Qatar and a few weeks away from the announcement of the chosen side of 26. After the already confirmed absence of Pedro Neto and the physical problems of several players, now a weight loss: Diogo Jota was injured while playing for Liverpool in Sunday’s game against Manchester City, he is set to retire for two to three months and will miss Portugal in the World Cup which starts on November 20 – the team will debut with Ghana on November 24.
News of the severity of Jota’s injury started this Tuesday morning and the worst fears were confirmed by German coach Jürgen Klopp in the early afternoon. “There is no good news. Jota has a very serious injury to his calves and will miss the World Cup. This is the first diagnosis, but it was very clear to us. It remains up to us to start the recovery process. It is very sad news for him, for us and of course for Portugal,” the Liverpool manager said, confirming that the injury is more serious than initially suspected.
The player also responded on social media, without hiding his dismay. “After such a good night at Anfield, everything ended in the worst way! At the last minute, one of my dreams collapsed. I will be another outside supporter of the club and the national team, fighting to come back as soon as possible the attacker wrote on Instagram.
Jota is a different case than Pedro Neto. The 22-year-old Wolverhampton striker, despite his presence in Fernando Santos’ squad, was rarely used (three games and one goal). The Liverpool player has 29 caps, with 10 goals for the national team, and has often worked offensively with Cristiano Ronaldo. In the recent League of Nations qualifying round, he started on the bench against Rep. Checa (Rafael Leão was chosen to play alongside CR7) but he came in in time to score Portugal’s last. And then he was among the eleven in the defeat to Spain.
In addition to these two victims in the attack, there is also Rafa Silva, who relinquished the roster, so at the moment there are three vacancies to fill the attack in connection with the last first call to the League of Nations, with bets falling on a group of six football players: André Silva, who is practically taken for granted (RB Leipzig), Gonçalo Guedes (Wolverhampton), Gonçalo Ramos (Benfica), Vitinha (Sp. Braga), Trincão and Pedro Gonçalves (Sporting). Rafael Leão, Ricardo Horta, Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix all have a guaranteed starting place.
Jota made his debut for the national team on 14 November 2019, coming in as a 83rd minute substitute for Ronaldo in a match with Lithuania, which qualified for Euro 2020, in the Algarve.
Pepe and other cases
Fernando Santos’ headaches aren’t just about attacks. In the middle of the defense is a big question mark named Pepe. The 39-year-old FC Porto central defender suffered a sprained left knee with an internal spinal cord injury and has been out of action since October 6.
While there is no official confirmation of the suspension time in this case, it is estimated that it will be reinstated only on top of the official announcement by the party’s elected officials in Qatar (the final lists should be revealed by November 13, but the announcement will be earlier) . It will then be up to Santos to decide whether or not the Porto player will be called up, and to assess the condition of the centre-back, who has been out for a month – Pepe has already had physical problems this season.
The final list of the 26 called up must be delivered to FIFA by November 13, but Fernando Santos will announce his choices days before.
If Pepe’s unavailability is confirmed, two centre-backs are lurking: Tiago Djaló, from Lille, who was called up in the last call-up, and young António Silva, who is having a good season at Benfica.
Last weekend was also marked by the injury of Danilo, a key player for his versatility, who can act as central or defensive midfield, and who, in the event Pepe’s absence is confirmed, would be Rúben Dias’ partner in defense as axis.
Danilo played just 25 minutes in the French league match between PSG and Marseille last Sunday. “He was in a lot of pain” [músculos] hamstrings. He is most likely injured, but we don’t know yet how long he will be out of options,” said coach Christophe Galtier. It was later learned that the break should be three weeks, that is, it will bring his entry into the Worlds, but may not be in the best physical condition.
Another situation is that of Nuno Mendes, PSG’s left-back, who was substituted in the Champions League game against Benfica on October 11. The defender sustained a muscle injury, similar to Danilo’s. That is, for up to three weeks in time to be included in the call-up, but he also arrives from a stop at the World Cup.
Then there is the physical fitness of Renato Sanches, also a PSG player. The former Benfica player last played against Nice on October 1. He then injured the adductors of his right leg and missed the Champions League meeting with Benfica and last weekend he was on the bench in Marseille’s game. The big question that arises at this point is the physical condition with which the 25-year-old midfielder should present himself at the time of the World Cup.
The World Cup will take place in Qatar from November 20 to December 18.
Portugal, together with Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea, has been included in Group H and will make its debut against the Ghanaians on November 24.
Source: DN
