Diogo Jota will not be playing at the Qatar 2022 World Cup in November and December, as well as his country’s friendly against the Super Eagles, it has been confirmed.
The Liverpool star is one of Portugal’s key players but an injury he sustained yesterday has put paid to his World Cup dreams.
The 25-year-old forward was stretchered off during Liverpool’s 1-0 Premier League win over Manchester City at Anfield due to a calf injury.
“Jota will be out for a long time, we talk about months. We will see – I don’t want to put a number on it because I hope there is a positive moment in rehab, but it will be long,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said today during his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s clash against West Ham United at Anfield.
When asked how Jota was coping emotionally, Klopp said: “It’s Diogo and he’s surprisingly OK, so far. Smart boy and reflective.
“He knew when we carried him off the pitch when we came out on the pitch. He explained what happened and he knew it was a serious one and impactful for his World Cup dreams.
“Jota will miss the World Cup, really serious injury in the calf and we have to recover him. The process starts and that’s it. Very sad news for the boy, for us and Portugal.”
Jota, who went down in added time after an impressive display, tweeted his feelings today moments after Klopp’s announcement.
He wrote, adding a ‘broken heart’ emoji: “After such a good night at Anfield mine ended in the worst way!
“In the last minute one of my dreams collapsed. I will be one more supporting from the outside, club and country, and fighting to be back as soon as possible.”
Jota will therefore also miss Portugal’s pre-World Cup friendly against Nigeria’s Super Eagles billed for November 17 in Lisbon.
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