Former Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani will be sweating on his availability at next month’s World Cup after suffering yet another injury setback.
Valencia’s star marksman had to come off after 18 minutes during their 1-0 La Liga defeat to Barcelona at Mestalla last night.
Having joined the La Liga giants on a free transfer at the end of August, following his release from Manchester United at the end of June, the 35-year-old had scored four goals in his last three appearances for Los Ches.
But as often was the case during his two years with the Red Devils, the Uruguayan’s struggles with injuries during the latter years of his career have reared their ugly head once again.
Edinson Cavani facing anxious World Cup wait
Ahead of last night’s clash against Barcelona, Valencia’s number seven had started the last seven games under Gennaro Gattuso.
But El Matador had to come off with an ankle injury and Gattuso has revealed that Valencia’s medical team will have “to take a good luck” at the South American.
Speaking after last night’s defeat to Xavi’s Barca, Gattuso told MARCA: “He had discomfort in his ankle, we have to take a good look at Cavani, because he was not well.”
Valencia have just two games remaining before the domestic season pauses for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
While it’s too early to determine whether Cavani’s chances of forming part of Uruguay’s World Cup squad are in jeopardy, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Uruguay’s second highest goalscorer of all-time sit out Valencia’s next two La Liga games.
At the age of 35, Cavani will be well aware that Qatar looks set to be his fourth and final World Cup, and he won’t want to jeopardise his chances of featuring in the Middle East by a rushing a return to action with Valencia.
Uruguay’s first World Cup match takes place in 25 day’s time against South Korea, and Diego Alonso’s side have also been drawn in Group H alongside Portugal and Ghana.
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