From Seoul to Madrid, an extended September-October international window is beginning to leave a costly trail across club football. With national-team fixtures scheduled through 6 October, Flamengo, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Barcelona are among the clubs awaiting further medical clarity on players hurt while away with their countries.
Key takeaways
- Uruguay’s Giorgian de Arrascaeta has sustained a fractured left wrist and Flamengo expect him to undergo surgery.
- Kylian Mbappé and Ibrahima Konaté both suffered knee problems during France duty, adding to Real Madrid’s concerns.
- Germany lost Jamal Musiala and Kai Havertz to muscle injuries, with Florian Wirtz and Burkardt called into the squad.
- Sweden released Alexander Isak as a precaution after he played through discomfort against Romania.
- Liverpool are also monitoring Cody Gakpo after the Netherlands forward injured his ankle against Serbia.
Injuries across the international circuit
Arrascaeta’s setback came in Uruguay’s friendly against South Korea in Seoul. The midfielder fell and used his left hand to break the impact, then complained of pain around his forearm. Flamengo confirmed on Monday that examinations identified a fracture in his left wrist, with an operation recommended. He is due back in Brazil for a new assessment and the next stage of treatment.
France’s Nations League meeting with Turkey brought two further alarms for Madrid. Konaté damaged ligaments in his right knee during the training session before France’s opening match. Mbappé then scored against Turkey but was forced off shortly afterwards with pain in his left knee. Tests after his return to Real Madrid revealed an injury, with an expected absence of between 10 and 12 days.
Germany’s camp has also been disrupted ahead of the first matches under Jürgen Klopp. Musiala was ruled out before making his debut for the new coach after tearing a muscle in his right thigh during the warm-up for Thursday’s game against the Netherlands. Havertz started that match but suffered a muscle strain and was subsequently released from the group. Liverpool’s Wirtz and Eintracht Frankfurt forward Burkardt were summoned as replacements.
Liverpool and Barcelona await assessments
Isak scored in Sweden’s 2-1 Nations League win over Romania, but ended the evening limping and in visible discomfort. He completed the match rather than being substituted, although coach Graham Potter said the problem was “nothing serious”. Sweden nevertheless withdrew him from the remaining fixtures to avoid taking any chances, and Liverpool’s medical staff will now examine the striker.
Gakpo is a second Liverpool forward returning from international duty with an issue. He lasted only 17 minutes of the Netherlands’ match against Serbia on Sunday before an ankle injury ended his involvement.
Spain, meanwhile, had to alter their plans immediately before Saturday’s match against England. Eric García had been expected to start but felt discomfort in his left knee during the warm-up. Pubill was brought into the side at short notice, while Barcelona defender García was cleared to leave the Spanish squad and return to his club.
