BRAZIL manager Carlo Ancelotti has admitted he is ‘worried’ that one of his players could miss the World Cup after limping out of their 2-1 victory over Egypt on Saturday.
Selecao secured victory at the FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland thanks to goals from Bruno Guimaraes and Endrick either side of half-time.
Mostafa Ziko had equalised on 11 minutes for Egypt, who did not name Mohamed Salah in their matchday squad.
But there was a major concern for Brazil when right-back Wesley limped off just 15 minutes into the contest through injury.
The Roma star, who left Flamengo last summer, is Brazil’s first-choice right-back ahead of ex-Manchester City defender Danilo.
He left the pitch in tears and could be seen kneeling over on the sidelines with his head in his hands.
Speaking after the match, Ancelotti confirmed that the 23-year-old has a ‘muscle problem’ and will undergo tests.
And while the Italian, who was appointed as Brazil head coach last year after leaving Real Madrid, is hopeful that Wesley will be fit for the World Cup, he described the situation as ‘urgent’.
“He needs to undergo some tests. He has a muscle problem and we have to wait for the diagnosis tomorrow,” Ancelotti told reporters.
“I think he’ll have time to recover and be with us at the World Cup. Otherwise, we’ll have to choose another player, and we’ll have time to do so. It’s urgent, it worries us.”
“He’s an important player,”
Ancelotti replied, when asked how vital Wesley is for Brazil. “He plays at his best, with power.
“He’s learned a lot about the things he wasn’t so good at, such as attacking and marking, now in Italy.
“I hope it’s nothing serious, that he gets the necessary treatment, and that he can continue with us on this journey. But I don’t deny that there’s urgency and concern; if it were to be something serious, it would be a shame.”
According to Brazilian journalist Diogo Dantas Wesley’s injury is ‘expected’ to at least rule him out of Brazil’s first group stage match against Morocco, but an exact diagnosis has not yet been made.
Story credit/ Sports Bible
