Spain national team manager Luis de la Fuente has indicated that Yeremy Pino’s participation in the 2026 World Cup is almost certainly over following a severe injury sustained against Uruguay.
De La Fuente Hails Pino’s “Heroic” Friday Cameo Despite Fracture
Pino came on as a second-half substitute for Alex Baena in the 66th minute. Despite suffering a heavy fall in the final minutes of the match, the winger courageously refused to leave the pitch, insisting on playing through the immense pain until the final whistle.
Commenting on the player’s resilience, De la Fuente stated: “What he did was heroic; he might have suffered a fractured clavicle (collarbone). He is in a lot of pain right now.”
The tactician added: “He will undergo medical tests tomorrow to determine the exact severity. The injury is far from simple and could prematurely end his World Cup. We will have to wait and see.”
While De la Fuente initially suspected a collarbone fracture, conflicting medical reports suggest potential damage to the pulmonary/intercostal muscles. Regardless of the final diagnosis, the Crystal Palace star is highly unlikely to feature again in the tournament—a massive blow to Spain’s attacking depth.
Nico Williams Injury Compounds Spain’s Knockout Stage Worries
To make matters worse for La Roja, Nico Williams also forced a premature exit during the Uruguay clash due to a muscular injury. While the squad awaits his official medical evaluation, Spanish newspapers remain pessimistic, hinting that the dynamic winger could miss several upcoming matches.
What’s Next? Spain will kick off their knockout stage campaign next Thursday at 22:00 Mecca time in the Round of 32, where the group leaders await the runners-up of Argentina’s group (either Algeria or Austria).
