Argentina received a positive injury update on Thursday with the news that Juventus winger Angel Di Maria is only expected to miss three weeks after he underwent tests on a hamstring problem.
Di Maria, 34, sustained an injury during the first half of Juventus’ 2-0 Champions League defeat by Maccabi Haifa on Tuesday.
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The former Manchester United player felt pain in the back of his right leg and had to be replaced by Arkadiusz Milik in the 24th minute of the match.
There had been fears that Di Maria’s World Cup chances were in serious doubt, but a statement from Juventus on Thursday confirmed the hamstring injury was “low-grade”.
The Juventus statement read: “Angel Di Maria underwent diagnostic tests at J|Medical this morning, which revealed a low-grade lesion to the hamstring of the right thigh.
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“It will take around 20 days for the player’s complete recovery.”
Argentina begin their World Cup campaign in 40 days’ time on November 22 against Saudi Arabia. Mexico and Poland are their other opponents in group C.
In May, Di Maria hinted that he would retire from Argentina duty after this World Cup.
He has won 125 caps for his country since making his debut in 2008 and, if he plays, the Qatar tournament will be his fourth World Cup.
Juventus, meanwhile, have struggled this season despite Di Maria’s arrival from Paris Saint-Germain. They will be eliminated from the Champions League if they fail to win at Benfica in their next match, while they are eighth in Serie A having won just three of their nine games.
Di Maria has one goal and four assists in seven games across all competitions this season.
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Read more: Argentina beat Mexico 2-0 to stay alive in Group C play.
(Photo by Daniele Badolato – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
