Flores out – Marcelo Flores will miss the World Cup after suffering a torn ACL during Saturday’s Concacaf Champions Cup final with Tigres UANL. Canada confirmed the blow as head coach Jesse Marsch announced the midfielder’s absence, while Flores posted an emotional message
By the time the 77th minute arrived, Marcelo Flores was already in trouble. A non-contact fall left the Canadian midfielder clutching his right leg on the ground, and the winger had to leave the pitch in tears during Tigres UANL’s Concacaf Champions Cup final on Saturday.
On Sunday, Canada’s head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed the worst: Flores will miss the upcoming World Cup after rupturing his ACL.
Flores, 22, posted an Instagram story on Sunday addressing the aftermath and explaining why he hadn’t responded. “Sorry I haven’t gotten back to anyone yet, really tough times,” his message read. “My ACL is gone. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone and all the messages.
“I haven’t been on my phone or checked messages, but I promise to get around to everyone, and I really appreciate the concerns. I’ll be back stronger.”
The injury lands hard on a player who has only just recently been fully aligned with Canada at the international level. Back in February, FIFA approved a one-time switch from Mexico to Canada for Flores. This year, he has played two games for the national team.
Canada’s World Cup plans were already taking shape. The team revealed its 26-man roster for the tournament this summer on Friday, and Flores’ absence forces another adjustment right before the competition.
Alphonso Davies is among the Canadian players working their way back to full health ahead of the tournament. Canada’s first World Cup match is scheduled for June 12 against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Before that opener, Canada will get one more tune-up. The team plays Uzbekistan in a friendly on Monday in Edmonton.
Marcelo Flores Canada national team World Cup ACL injury Jesse Marsch Tigres UANL Concacaf Champions Cup final Alphonso Davies Edmonton friendly Bosnia and Herzegovina
Non-contact ACLs are the worst. Poor guy.
So he’s out because he tore his ACL but it happened in a Champions Cup final? That seems kinda random. Hope Canada still has a decent roster cuz Bosnia and Herzegovina isn’t no joke.
I don’t get the whole “ruptured ACL” thing like is that the same as just a sprain? Either way, Canada really should’ve waited to announce the World Cup roster if they weren’t sure. Also Jesse Marsch sounds like the guy who makes subs then acts shocked when it’s bad.
Man he just switched from Mexico to Canada and now boom ACL gone. I saw the Instagram story part but I feel like nobody reads the injury timeline lol. Why he wasn’t answering messages right away—like was he meditating or something? Anyway hopefully Alphonso Davies gets right in time cuz June 12 is gonna come fast.