Luis Suarez’s participation in the Copa America is in doubt after the Barca star hobbled off the field in tears during Sunday’s Copa del Rey final.
Suarez suffered a muscle injury to his right leg during Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Sevilla.
The Uruguayan striker limped off the pitch early in the second half after falling awkwardly while trying to reach for a ball inside the area. Suarez immediately felt the strain on his supportive leg and fell down to the ground in a heap.
He is expected to undergo tests on Monday after Barca coach Luis Enrique revealed in the postmatch press conference that the full extent of the knock was unknown on Sunday night.
“Suarez is injured, unfortunately. It is a muscle problem. We are not able to say how bad it is yet.”
Suarez was expected to be a key player in Uruguay’s Copa America campaign after having a phenomenal season in La Liga. He scored 59 goals in all competitions and finished top of the league’s goal-scoring charts with 40 goals, five more than Cristiano Ronaldo.
Cameras showed a tearful Suarez being comforted by teammates on the bench after being substituted. At that point, he must have suspected the worst about the injury, but we’ll have to wait until the test results come back for confirmation.
UPDATE: Following Monday’s tests, Barcelona have issued a statement regarding Suarez’s fitness.
“Tests on Monday morning have confirmed that FC Barcelona striker Luis Suárez has suffered an injury to the semimembranosus muscle in his right leg.”
“Following the recommendations of the Club’s medical services team, the 2015/16 Golden Shoe winner will begin his rehabilitation in Barcelona. On 1 June, Suárez will join the Uruguay national team in the United States, where he’ll continue with the second phase of his recovery.”
