Enzo Alves Misses Under-17 World Cup Due to Psoas Injury
Enzo Alves will miss the upcoming FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar after suffering a muscle tear in his psoas during a youth match for Real Madrid, MARCA reported.
The striker picked up the injury in the first half against Rayo Vallecano, forcing manager David Cubillo to remove him from the squad ahead of the tournament starting later this month.
Guillermo Trujillano, a youth product of Atlético de Madrid, will take Alves’s place in the 21-player Spanish squad, according to MARCA. Initial medical evaluations projected a two-week recovery window for the young forward, a timeline that left him too tight for Spain’s tournament opener.
Squad Adjustments and Training Camp in Las Rozas
Antes de ser desconvocado, Alves se había incorporado con el resto de la selección española Sub-17 a la concentración en la Ciudad del Fútbol de Las Rozas para empezar a preparar el Mundial, según informaron fuentes de la Real Federación Española de Fútbol.
Spanish federation sources noted that the forward reported discomfort from the Rayo Vallecano fixture while checking into the pre-tournament camp.
Manager David Cubillo faced additional complications in his attack with fellow Real Madrid striker Yeremaiah arriving at the camp recovering from a month-long layoff, MARCA reported. Carrying two underprepared strikers through the group stage presented an excessive roster risk, prompting the coaching staff to restructure the forward line alongside attacking options like Roberto Tomás.
Group Stage Schedule in Qatar
Spain enters the expanded 48-team tournament seeking its first Under-17 World Cup title, the only major trophy missing from the nation’s youth trophy case, Mundo Deportivo reported. The squad is scheduled to train in Madrid before flying to Doha on November 16.
Group play opens on November 20 against China, followed by a fixture against Fiji on November 23, and concludes with a match against Morocco, as detailed by Yahoo Deportes.
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