Mexican international and Sevilla FC winger, Jesus Corona, will miss four-to-five months following a leg injury that will keep him out of the World Cup scene. He broke his left fibula and ruptured ankle ligaments Thursday.
He was immediately taken to the hospital, and is scheduled for a surgery. Unfortunately, the timing is tough given La Liga season just started and World Cup set for later this calendar year.
“He has suffered a major injury in training,” Sevilla said in an official statement.
“Tests have revealed that he suffers from a fractured fibula and deltoid ligament in his left ankle.”
“Tecatito will undergo an operation this afternoon for the injury by Dr. Najarro at the FREMAP hospital. Initially, this type of injury requires a recovery of between four and five months.”
Corona joined Sevilla FC this offseason, coming from FC Porto. He started in Sevilla’s opener this season on 12 August.
“Tecatito got injured this morning,” Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui said. “It doesn’t look good. He was taken by ambulance and I hope it’s not serious, but I insist, it doesn’t look good.”
Corona has 10 goals for Mexico in 71 appearances. He first made his national debut in 2014.
As Corona was set to start for Mexico in the World Cup, his absence will most likely let Marcelo Flores or Martino see more time on the pitch. There’s also the continued growth of Alejandro Zendejas who could be in the mix some months from now.
Tata Martino has heavily relied on Corona since 2019, and will look to others to fill the gap on the pitch as well as in the locker room.
Corona was integral in 13 of El Tri’s 14 World Cup qualifiers in the Concacaf Octagonal that helped Mexico qualify for its eighth straight World Cup.
Mexico, historically, has had some injury concerns heading into the World Cup. In 2014, they lost Chapo Montes; in 2018, they were without Nestor Araujo; in 2022, it’s Tecatito Corona.
Mexico has advanced to the round of 16 in each of the last seven World Cups, but have not made the quarterfinals since 1986 – when they were the hosts.
Mexico will kick off this year’s World Cup in a few months against Argentina.
