Uruguay’s painful elimination from the 2026 World Cup after a 1-0 loss to Spain brought more tragic news. Medical tests confirmed the worst-case scenario for midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who suffered a torn ACL in his left knee.
The unfortunate incident happened in the 43rd minute of the first half, just before Spain’s goal, when the midfielder challenged Pedri for the ball. The 25-year-old had to leave the pitch on a stretcher in visible pain and was replaced by Nicolás de la Cruz.
Medical specialists estimate that his rehabilitation process will keep him off the pitch for between nine and twelve months, representing nearly a full year of professional inactivity.
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Surgery in England and FIFA protection
In the coming hours, Ugarte will travel to England to undergo surgery under the direct supervision of Manchester United’s medical staff, the club that owns his registration.
Since the injury occurred during his official release for the World Cup, FIFA will have to activate its club protection program and cover the player’s full salary until he is medically cleared.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
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