Reigning European Champions Portugal has suffered a major blow in their preparations for the 2018 World Cup as their key defender Danilo Pereira will miss the tournament due to an Achilles tendon injury.
Danilo, who was part of the Portugal squad that won Euro 2016, sustained a partial rupture on his left Achilles, his club FC Porto announced. He is set to undergo an operation on Thursday.
At the time of his injury, the 26-year-old had been making a steady comeback from a calf injury which he sustained in January.
He has now been ruled out of Fernando Santos’s squad that will travel to Russia to play in the World Cup which will be held between June 14- 15 July.
Portugal will start their World Cup on June 15 when they play against Spain. Portugal isn’t one of the top-dogs heading into the World Cup and their progress in the tournament will likely depend upon the performances of captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
