César Montes Injury Update
César Montes left the field injured 30 minutes into the match between Lokomotiv Moscow and Akhmat Grozny. This incident raises concerns about his availability for the upcoming FIFA Date in March against Portugal and Belgium.
According to Mikhail Galaktionov, Montes’ injury doesn’t seem serious at first glance. However, he is currently under evaluation for muscle discomfort in Russia, and details remain unconfirmed.
Montes is considered the undisputed leader of the defense alongside Johan Vásquez, making his potential absence a significant concern for the team. His participation in the World Cup, set to begin on June 11, is now in doubt.
Other players are also facing injury challenges. Santiago Giménez is in the final recovery stage after undergoing ankle surgery in December, while Edson Álvarez recently had ankle surgery in the Netherlands, with an estimated downtime of 6 to 8 weeks.
César Huerta underwent pelvis surgery in November and is currently training separately at Anderlecht in Belgium. Additionally, Rodrigo Huescas has a confirmed absence due to a cruciate ligament injury.
Head coach Javier Aguirre emphasized the need for his key players to be at 100% to finalize the roster. With the World Cup approaching, El Tri is racing against time and injuries to prepare for their debut against South Africa.
The official report from Lokomotiv regarding Montes’ injury is expected within the next 48 hours, which will provide further clarity on his condition and availability.
As the situation develops, the puzzle for the debut against South Africa becomes increasingly difficult to piece together for Aguirre and his coaching staff.