Mateo Kovacic misses Club World Cup after undergoing surgery
- Mateo Kovacic has undergone surgery for an Achilles tendon injury, which will keep him out of the Club World Cup.
- The 31-year-old midfielder previously missed the FA Cup final due to this injury.
- His rehabilitation may take up to three months, affecting both his club and national commitments.
In the lead-up to the FIFA Club World Cup, Mateo Kovacic, a midfielder for Manchester City, has been ruled out due to surgery for an Achilles injury. The 31-year-old Croatian has been dealing with this injury, which prevented him from participating in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace last month. Following his surgery, it is anticipated that he could miss up to three months of play as he focuses on rehabilitation during the summer months. The announcement by Manchester City confirms that he will not travel to the United States for the tournament scheduled to begin June 14, where the team will compete against a range of international clubs, including their first match against Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca. Kovacic's absence from this tournament is compounded by the fact that he is also set to miss Croatia's World Cup qualifiers against Gibraltar and the Czech Republic, scheduled for early June. Previously, he had featured extensively for Manchester City during the recent season, appearing in 42 matches and contributing seven goals to the club's efforts. His injury brings a significant blow not only to his club but also to the national team, with such high-profile competitions ahead and the need for key players in defensive midfield roles. Everyone at Manchester City has expressed a desire for a swift recovery, as they will need their star players in top form in the upcoming season.