World Cup Brazil 2014: Luis Suarez Undergoes Knee Surgery; Will He Miss Uruguay’s Campaign?
Luis Suarez underwent knee surgery on Wednesday, creating speculations that the striker will not be available for Uruguay in the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
According to reports, Suarez hurt his knee during Liverpool's final league game, and felt intense pain during Uruguay's training camp on Wednesday.
Suarez had an MRI that revealed a torn meniscus in his left knee, which required immediate surgery. But while Suarez is expected to undergo rehab in the next few weeks, the Uruguay Football Federation remains optimistic that the 27-year-old striker will still play in Brazil this summer.
"He is not ruled out of World Cup play," Uruguay Football Federation said in a statement. "It is important to note that the player received a direct hit to his left knee during his final Premier League match with Liverpool on Sunday, May 11, 2014, had pain and was on sports rest after finishing the league season."
No return timetable was given after the surgery, but Uruguay football officials believe that Suarez needs just 15 to 20 days of rest before returning to training camp.
Suarez, who was recently named as the Professional Footballer's Association and Football Writers' Association player of the year, is facing a race against time.
Uruguay is scheduled to start their campaign on June 14 against Costa Rica, but Uruguay FA president Wilmar Valdez is convinced that Suarez will be able to recover quickly in time for the World Cup.
"We know the surgery was a success and that the injury is not serious. We have to wait and see how he recovers," Valdez told La Ovacion, via BBC. "These are injuries that, considering Suarez's fitness and if the recovery is good, will not take long for him to return to play."
Suarez will play a big role for Uruguay this summer, and he looked poised to help his team become a serious contender in Brazil, especially before hurting his knee.
Suarez scored 31 goals in the recently-concluded English Premier League season, leading Liverpool to a second-place finish behind Manchester City.