By CAITLIN MURRAY
Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes will miss the World Cup and may have played his last game for Barca.
Valdes, 32, tore his right anterior cruciate ligament during Barca’s 3-0 win over Celta Vigo last week after an awkward landing during a free-kick save. The Spanish international will be out for seven months after a successful surgery Monday, ruling out this summer’s World Cup, according to the club.
Valdes will miss the rest of Barca’s season and is out of contract at the end of the season, with reports indicating he had planned to leave the club then. Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has said the club was planning on offering a contract extension.
He has played 535 games for FC Barcelona since his debut for the club more than a decade ago, conceding 441 goals and helping Barca win six leagues titles and three Champions League titles.
Here are some other stories to kick off your Monday:
RIVER TOP BOCA IN LA BOMBONERA
Celebrations lasted well into the early hours of the morning in Buenos Aires’ northern district after a big win for River Plate.
In the 202nd league version of the Superclasico, River defeated Boca Juniors, 2-1, at La Bombonera to drive the knife into the heart of their city rivals. Following a scoreless first half, River’s No. 10 Manuel Lanzini took a pass in the box in the 58th minute and finished past Boca goalkeeper Agustin Orion.
Ten minutes later, Boca’s heart and soul, captain Juan Roman Riquelme, fired home a patented free kick from just outside the box to level the scoreline.
But it was Ramiro Funes Mori, a former resident of Dallas and former FC Dallas youth player, who provided the winning touch in the 86th minute. Funes Mori’s glancing header off a corner kick evaded Orion to give the visitors a crucial three points in their chase for the Clausura title.
QUICK KICKS
Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has been cleared by the FA of allegedly spitting at Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta last Tuesday. (REPORT)
Veteran defender Cristian Chivu has mutually terminated his contract with Inter Milan after missing much of the last three seasons due to foot injuries. (REPORT)
Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira is reaching the final stages of his recovery and training to get back on the roster. (REPORT)
Dnipro midfielder Jaba Kankava may have saved the life of his opponent, Dynamo Kiev captain Oleg Gusev, after Gusev took a knee to the face and swallowed his tongue. (REPORT)
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What do you think of this news? Will the loss of Valdes be a blow for Spain in the World Cup? Where does the injury leave Barca?
Share your thoughts below.