The pre-World Cup injuries continue to mount.
On Saturday, Mexico midfielder Luis Montes was stretchered off of El Tri’s friendly with Ecuador at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, after fracturing his right tibia and fibula (video below). The 28-year-old Leon player has been ruled out of the World Cup.
Montes was driven immediately to a local hospital.
The injury occurred in the 35th minute, when Montes challenged for a loose ball with Ecuador’s Segundo Castillo. There was nothing malicious on either player’s part, but Montes came out of the tackle writhing in pain and clutching his lower right leg.
The 80,000-plus crowd, which was mostly pro-Mexico, was immediately stunned into silence, and the faces of the players on both sides showed grave concern for Montes, who just two minutes earlier had scored a magnificent goal for Mexico.
Montes was replaced by Marco Fabian.
Castillo also needed attention from the doctors and was subbed off immediately. According to Ecuadoran outlets, he suffered torn ligaments in his right knee, and is also ruled out of the World Cup.
Later, at halftime, Mexico captain Rafa Marquez was subbed off after suffering a right foot injury, according to the Mexican federation. As a precaution, he too was taken to a local hospital to have it checked out.
Montes's injury comes just days after Real Salt Lake and Costa Rica star Alvaro Saborio was ruled out of the World Cup after fracturing his foot in training.
WARNING: This footage may be disturbing.
