Atletico Madrid and United States midfielder Johnny Cardoso has suffered a high-ankle sprain, just five weeks out from the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Cardoso’s injury was confirmed by the club in a statement released on Thursday.
It read: “Johnny Cardoso could not complete the training session on Thursday, May 7 after suffering a trauma to his right ankle.
“The medical services have carried out tests and the medical report offered indicates that the midfielder suffered a high-grade sprain in his right ankle.
“The red-and-white No. 5 will perform physiotherapy sessions and rehabilitation work in the gym and the evolution of his injury will determine his return to the competition.”
Atletico have little to play for across the final four games of the LaLiga season. They are fourth in the table and almost certain of Champions League football, with the gap to fifth-placed Real Betis sitting at 10 points. Fifth may well be good enough for Champions League football anyway, with Spain just ahead of Germany in the race to join England as the second club coefficient earning a European Performance Spot and the extra place in the competition that comes with it.
The Copa del Rey runners-up saw their dreams of winning this season’s Champions League end on Tuesday with defeat to Arsenal in the semi-final.
As such, the focus for Cardoso is likely to be on recovering in time for the World Cup.
The 24-year-old has won 23 caps for the USA, who kick off their campaign on June 12 with their opening Group D clash against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
Mauricio Pochettino’s men then face Australia a week later in Seattle before rounding off their group stage fixtures by returning to Southern California for a difficult game against Turkey at SoFi Stadium.
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