Portugal defender Nuno Mendes is set to miss the rest of the 2022 World Cup with a thigh injury, a federation source told AFP on Thursday.
The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) left-back is likely to be sidelined until late January.
Mendes missed Portugal's first game, a 3-2 win over Ghana, with muscular fatigue, but was injured during the 2-0 win over Uruguay on Monday.
Understand Nuno Mendes will be out for the next two months after thigh injury — can confirm that his World Cup is over 🚨🇵🇹 #Qatar2022
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 30, 2022
Been told Nuno will remain with the team until end of World Cup as PSG medical staff will visit him in Qatar — but he’s out until January 2023. pic.twitter.com/Usu9Rl8Yoo
The Portuguese federation said he suffered "a muscle injury in his left thigh" without specifying his expected recovery time but the source said he would not recover in time to play any further part even in the tournament.
Mendes will remain with Portugal's camp in Qatar despite his injury.
"He will continue to stay in Qatar, because the player wanted it, (PSG) allowed him to stay here with us," Portugal coach Fernando Santos told a press conference Thursday.
"This reflects the spirit of the team and how united we all are."
Borussia Dortmund full-back Raphael Guerreiro played the first match and replaced Mendes against Uruguay, and is in line to hold the position going forward.
Portugal, already qualified for the knockout phase, faces South Korea on Friday, knowing only a point would guarantee it the top spot in Group H.
🎙 Fernando Santos’ press conference:
— TC (@totalcristiano) December 1, 2022
• The players on yellows unlikely to play (Bruno, Dias, Felix, Neves).
• Nuno Mendes is out of the World Cup.
• Ronaldo to play vs Korea? 50/50.
• Otavio is out of the Korea game. pic.twitter.com/fgy4qtlZxk
Since emerging on the scene for Sporting Lisbon in 2020, Mendes has quickly established himself as one of the best left-backs in world football.
The 20-year-old's form for Paris Saint-Germain has led to the youngster already becoming a key part of Fernando Santos's national team.
Despite not featuring during the opening fixture against Ghana, Mendes was drafted into the side for the meeting with Uruguay earlier this week.
However, he would last just 42 minutes before sustaining a thigh injury, resulting in his withdrawal before the half-time whistle.
Força irmão, és o melhor 💚🦾!!! @nunomendes_25
— Pedro Porro (@Pedroporro29_) November 28, 2022
At the time, Mendes looked distraught, it being perceived that the issue could lead to him being sidelined for the rest of the tournament.
Although the severity of the injury is yet to be confirmed by Portugal, it has been widely reported in France and elsewhere that Mendes will play no further part in Qatar.
Furthermore, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has indicated that Mendes is not expected to recovery from his thigh problem until the early weeks of 2023.
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