Tag: Edson Alvarez

Mexico captain Alvarez out for Copa America with hamstring injury

It’s a huge loss for El Tri

Mexico captain Edson Álvarez will miss the remainder of the Copa América with a hamstring injury, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) has confirmed.

Álvarez was injured in the first half of his side’s Copa América opener against Jamaica, falling to the turf while sprinting without contact from any player.

The West Ham midfielder exited the pitch in tears as he could hardly put any weight on his left leg. Mexico went on to win the match 1-0 thanks to a second-half strike from Gerardo Arteaga.

On Tuesday night, the FMF released a statement confirming Álvarez would be out for the tournament, though it didn’t specify a timeframe for his return.

Álvarez also released a video message confirming his absence for the remainder of the tournament.

“Unfortunately, my participation in Copa America has come to an end,” Álvarez said. “I have no words — the truth is that it is a hard blow for me because I had that dream as much as my teammates have it, but sometimes these things happen in football and I will have to learn and grow from all this.

“But I wanted to let you know that I have made the decision to stay with the team until the end, to support and encourage them, as I always have done. Now it will be my turn off the field. It will also help my rehabilitation and return as soon as possible.”

The loss of Álvarez is a huge blow for El Tri, which relies on the 26-year-old for his leadership and quality on the field. After completing his first season with West Ham, the midfielder has recently been linked with a move to Manchester United.

Mexico is back in action on Wednesday night against Venezuela, before closing out group play against Ecuador on Sunday.

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Edson Alvarez injury: Mexico captain exits in tears in Copa America opener

El Tri’s captain could be set for a long spell on the sidelines

Mexico captain Edson Álvarez went down with a potentially serious injury during his side’s Copa América opener against Jamaica on Saturday.

With the match scoreless, Álvarez was sprinting back on defense midway through the first half when he fell to the turf without contact from any player.

The West Ham midfielder had to be helped off the field and couldn’t put any weight on his left leg as he exited. He was replaced by Luis Romo in the 30th minute.

Álvarez was in tears as he left the field, clearly emotional as his status for the rest of the Copa América appears to be in serious doubt.

Mexico went on to win the game 1-0 thanks to a second-half strike from Gerardo Arteaga.

For a Mexico team in one of its worst stretches in some time, losing a player like Álvarez is a killer blow.

The 26-year-old is one of Mexico’s few players to feature regularly at Europe’s highest levels. Álvarez just completed his first Premier League season, and has recently been linked with a move to Manchester United.

“We’re going to wait a couple of days to do some testing on him and to know well what he’s got going on,” head coach Jaime Lozano said after the match.

“He’s extremely important. He’s a leader, he understands the game well. He’s important on the pitch and in the locker room as well. You listen to him talk, he has a way with words and when he speaks you listen. This was a tough blow for all of us.”

Following Saturday’s game, El Tri will face Venezuela on Wednesday and Ecuador on June 30 to close out group play.

Playing surface concerns grow

Álvarez’s non-contact injury will highlight a growing concern at this tournament: quickly installed real grass laid over artificial turf at several stadiums — including NRG Stadium in Houston, where the injury occurred.

Argentina and Canada players complained about a similar surface at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the tournament opener, with Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez calling the pitch a “disaster.”

In an interview with The Athletic, U.S. national team midfielder Weston McKennie aired out his own complaints.

“You’re playing on a football field, with laid grass that’s all patchy and it breaks up every step you take. It’s frustrating,” he said.

“If you look at the Euros, they’re all playing on great fields, great grass, football-specific stadiums, soccer-specific stadiums, and you see the quality of the football.

“You can play a 1-2 without wondering if the ball is gonna bounce up before you hit it. You can pass the ball back to the keeper not being afraid that it’s going to bounce over his foot. You see a different type of soccer.”

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