United States' Sergino Dest will miss the Copa America after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), with the defender confirming he will undergo surgery soon.
Dest, who has spent this season on loan at PSV Eindhoven from Barcelona, suffered the injury late last month while training with the Dutch club.
"Unfortunately I've torn my ACL, I will have an operation soon and will try to come back as soon as possible to my top level. It will be a difficult time for me," Dest said in a video posted on social media.
"I know these times only make me stronger so I will come back to make you all proud."
Sergiño Dest ACL injury
I was pretty suprised
When I heard about the news
I never thought that this would happen to me!
It’s a difficult time
But i’ll face it
Come back stronger
And make y’all proud again
Thanks for all the messages and support! ❤️#beastmode pic.twitter.com/ek0ZHACwmz— Sergiño Dest (@sergino_dest) May 1, 2024
Sergiño Dest confirms he has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and will have surgery to repair the injury.
We send Serg our best wishes and support for a speedy recovery https://t.co/WFTl9Abwuo pic.twitter.com/7aFX1dM5E8— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) May 1, 2024
Barça right back Sergino Dest will be out until 2025 due to ACL injury, as club confirms.
PSV Eindhoven wanted to trigger €10m buy option for Dest, they are very happy with the player but injury can change the situation in terms of negotiations. pic.twitter.com/UXCMCqkFEH— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 1, 2024
Dest was a key figure in the Americans' 2022 World Cup campaign, starting all of the U.S. matches and contributing an assist against Iran in the group stage.
The Copa America kicks off on June 20 and will be played across 14 U.S. cities.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York, Editing by Toby Davis)