Barcelona’s Fermín López will miss the World Cup after injuring his right foot. The midfielder sustained the injury in the fifth metatarsal bone during Sunday’s match against Real Betis.
At first, Spain’s medical team at the Las Rozas training base hoped the injury was minor. However, the mood quickly turned to deep concern once the official test results came back.
The medical reports, unfortunately, confirmed the worst-case scenario, ruling the young midfielder completely out of the upcoming tournament.
“The first team player, Fermín López, suffered a fracture to the fifth metatarsal bone in his right foot in the game against Betis. The player will undergo surgery.” The club stated.
Unlike predictable muscle injuries, this fracture near the pinky toe is complicated and has an unpredictable recovery timeline, usually taking six to eight weeks to heal, a timeframe that completely rules Fermín out of the World Cup.
The 23-year-old’s absence is a serious setback for the national team. While he was not a key player for manager Luis de la Fuente during the qualifying stages, his recent form made him a crucial part of the squad.
The midfielder’s rapid improvement towards the end of the season turned him into one of the most important players for the Catalan side that just won La Liga.
Fermín’s injury forces a major change in plans for the Spanish national team, because he was guaranteed a spot in the final 26-man squad.
Marca reports that the situation is even more difficult for coach De la Fuente, with other players also unavailable. Ander Barrenetxea is definitely out, and Víctor Muñoz is awaiting test results after suffering muscle fatigue against Espanyol.
Now, the coach must look at his broader 55-man provisional list to find replacements and adjust his strategy.
