Mexico midfielder Luis Montes out of World Cup with fractured right leg
Mexico sustained a critical blow to its World Cup preparations when starting midfielder Luis Montes suffered a fractured fibula and tibia in a friendly with Ecuador in Arlington, Texas on Saturday afternoon.
Montes completed a tidy Mexican buildup by lashing home the opening goal after 33 minutes, but his World Cup dreams came to an end mere moments later as he lunged into an awkward challenge with Segundo Castillo and sustained a serious injury in the process.
The Club León midfielder immediately grabbed the bottom of his right leg and watched as players on the field frantically signaled for medical treatment. The medical staff eventually used Montes’ shinguards to stabilize the gruesome fallout. Mexico striker Oribe Peralta helped to stretcher Montes off the field after a delay of several minutes.
Montes departed the stadium in the aftermath of the injury and went to a local hospital by ambulance to receive further examination and treatment for his injury, according to Mexican press officers.
The devastating injury is a bitter setback for Mexico ahead of its trip to Brazil next month. The 28-year-old midfielder established himself as a regular in Miguel Herrera’s three-man midfield. His ability to combine with León teammate Carlos Peña, operate quickly in tight spaces and present a threat from distance made him an integral part in the El Tri’s plans for the World Cup.
Herrera must now consider how to replace Montes in the coming days. Villarreal winger Javier Áquino is expected to join the 23-man party as Montes’ direct replacement, but his arrival will not solve the more pressing questions about how compensate in the midfield trio. It is a quandary Herrera must now unfortunately ponder as he prepares for the tournament without one of his key figures.
