Injury pushes Ezequiel Lavezzi out of Copa America

You don’t need us to tell you that the Argentinian national football team has an almost overwhelming array of attacking talent in their ranks. It’s frankly quite embarrassing. With Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero and Ezequiel Lavezzi to pick from upfront, they’re a side that’s never going to be short on goals.

But as they prepare themselves for a Copa America final showdown with Chile, they will have only three of their four devastating strikers to pick from, after one of them picked up a very bizarre injury indeed. That man? Lavezzi. Those of you that watched the semi final win over the hosts the USA on Tuesday might well have spotted it.

Lavezzi was a goalscorer on the night, but it will be his freak injury that lives in the memory rather than his goal. As he jumped up for a header near the advertising hoardings, he fell over the boards and landed strangely on his left elbow. Subsequent checks and scans have revealed that he suffered what they call a ‘radial fracture’. It’s going to need require surgery in the next few days. So he’s out of the Chile final. Poor lad.

Still, he’s putting a brave face on it. Here’s what he told his fans on Instagram in a post after the game:

"Hello everyone! I want to thank you for your concern. It was very nice to receive so many warm messages. Like the medical team stated, I had a fracture-dislocation on my left elbow and will have surgery. I won't be able to play the final, but will be there to support my team-mates! Let's go, Argentina!"
The Heibei Fortune China striker might be making big money in Asia, but he was desperate to help end his country’s 23 year wait for a trophy. Still, he can always cheer his side on from the sidelines. Just stay away from those hoardings, Ez...