José María Giménez’s season with Atlético Madrid has come to a premature end after a heavy blow to his ankle during Saturday’s match against Celta, casting serious doubt on his availability for the upcoming World Cup.
The Uruguayan defender, who has struggled with various injuries throughout the campaign and was only the 19th most-used player by Diego Simeone, suffered yet another setback. After spending over a month on the sidelines with a soleus muscle injury, Giménez returned to the starting lineup on Saturday but lasted just 19 minutes before being forced off following a collision while attempting to block a shot from Borja Iglesias.
Medical assessments have confirmed a high-grade ankle sprain, leaving his recovery timeline uncertain. The 28-year-old is now weighing all possible treatment options, including surgery, which has thrown his participation in the World Cup into serious doubt. Expected to be a cornerstone of Uruguay’s defense in the tournament to be co-hosted by the United States and Mexico, Giménez’s absence would be a major blow.
Uruguay are set to open their World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabia on June 15. It appears highly unlikely that Giménez will be fit in time for that fixture. However, if his rehabilitation progresses well, he could potentially feature in later group-stage matches. For now, his return to action remains shrouded in uncertainty.