Brazil lose Gabriel Jesus, Alex Telles for the rest of World Cup
Doha, Dec 3 (EFE).- Brazil will be without forward Gabriel Jesus and defender Alex Telles for the rest of World Cup 2022, the country’s soccer federation said Saturday.
Both players suffered knee injuries in Brazil’s 1-0 loss to Cameroon on Friday in the final group stage match.
“Players Alex Telles and Gabriel Jesus underwent tests Saturday morning accompanied by team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar and a MRI on their right knees confirmed the extent of the injuries and the impossibility of recovery in time to participate in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said in a statement.
Brazil’s captain, Neymar, has been out of commission since the Canarinha’s opening match against Serbia. He trained with the team on Saturday, but it remains unclear whether he will be deemed fit for the Dec. 5 knockout stage clash with South Korea.
Telles, a Manchester United player currently on loan to Sevilla, may need surgery, while Arsenal striker Jesus is expected to recover in time to return to the Gunners lineup after the World Cup.
Two other players who have been sidelined with injury, Danilo and Alex Sandro, look likely to play against South Korea on Monday.
The loss of Telles and Jesus leaves Brazil coach with 24 players on his roster and World Cup rules do not allow him to bring in replacements with the competition already in progress.
Brazil has won the World Cup a record five times, but their most recent triumph was in 2002. EFE
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