3 days ago
Man City's Kovačić out of Club World Cup after surgery
LONDON: Mateo Kovačić has undergone surgery on an Achilles injury and will miss the FIFA Club World Cup, Manchester City announced on Monday.
The Croatian midfielder, 31, made 42 appearances for the Premier League club during the recently concluded season, scoring seven goals.
"Mateo will spend the summer rehabilitating from the operation, and everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery," City said in a statement.
Fellow midfielder Rodri, who won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, returned to action on 20 May after eight months out with a knee injury.
However, City manager Pep Guardiola has warned that he will need to be managed carefully.
Guardiola's side endured a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, finishing third in the Premier League and failing to win a trophy for the first time in eight years.
They will travel to the expanded 32-team Club World Cup in the United States as defending champions, having won the competition under its previous format in Saudi Arabia two years ago.
The month-long tournament kicks off on 14 June, with City beginning their campaign against Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca in Philadelphia four days later.
