SPORT

World Cup defending champions, Spain yesterday suffered a set back with the news that Bayern Munich midfielder, Thiago Alcantara has been ruled out of the country’s squad because of a knee injury.

Spainish manager, Vicente del Bosque now has to work with 29 players before making the cuts for the final squad.

The 23-year-old was named in Spain’s provisional squad on Monday but will require surgery after tearing a knee ligament this week.

“This is bitter for Thiago and I feel sorry for him,” said Bayern chief executive, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Spain is in Group B along with Netherlands, Chile and Australia.

“It is the latest setback for Thiago, who has missed the latter part of the season with injury. He will also miss the German Cup final against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.”

Rummenigge said: “A young man who wanted to come back at the World Cup, and suddenly his dreams are burst.

“We will take care of him now and make sure he is fit at the start of the season.”

Thiago had won five caps for Spain and scored a hat-trick last summer as the Under-21s beat Italy to win the European Championship.

Born in Italy to Brazilian parents, Thiago joined FC Barcelona aged 14. After representing Spain at under-19 and under-21 levels, he made his full international debut in 2011.

He made his first appearance for Spain’s senior squad in a friendly against Italy on 10 August 2011, while his first competitive match was on 6 September 2011, in a Euro 2012 qualifying match 6–0 win against Liechtenstein. Due to injury he missed Euro 2012 and the 2012 Summer Olympics inLondon.

Thiago was named in Spain’s 30-man provisional squad for the 2014 World Cup on 13 May of that year. However, two days later, he withdrew from the squad due to a knee ligament injury obtained while playing for Bayern in March. Bayern Chief Executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said “A young man who wanted to come back at the World Cup, and suddenly his dreams are burst. We will take care of him now and make sure he is fit at the start of the season.

Enyeama Optimistic About Eagles In Brazil

Super Eagles vice captain and best Africa Player in the French Lique 1 this season, Vincent Enyeama is optimistic that the Super Eagles will not be disgraced at the World Cup in Brazil next month. The Lille Metropole of France safe hands said with continuous support from Nigerians which also made it possible for him to be named the best African Player in the French Ligue 1 this season, the team will not disappoint in Brazil.

Enyeama, who spoke through the team’s media officer, Ben Alaiya from his France based said he was delighted that he was picked as Africa’s best player in France, promising that he will not fail the country at the Mundial. “Now the leagues are almost over across the world and all of us have a new focus, which is the World Cup, we will go there and enjoy ourselves and also excel for ourselves and the country. I can’t wait for the World Cup to start”, he declared.

Enyeama, who is widely regarded as Africa’s best goalkeeper said. “God has always been the greatest supporter I have, He has always been there for me when I needed support and He has continue to inspire me to greater heights. Apart from that the support I get from my family and Nigerians have been massive inspiration for me, I pray that the World Cup will be a crowning glory for me, the team and all Nigerians”.