Costa Rica captain Shirley Cruz is out at least a month after arthroscopic surgery on her right knee. (Photo Copyright Erica McCaulley for The Equalizer)
Costa Rica captain Shirley Cruz is expected to miss at least a month after undergoing surgery on her right knee on Thursday. Cruz and the Costa Rican federation says the World Cup — which was exactly 100 days away on Thursday — is not in jeopardy for Cruz.
“For any athlete injuries are a nightmare, but the most important thing right now is to regain mobility in the best way,” Cruz said. “For me play here has been of a high standard, so I will play to give the best of me in the recovery and return quickly to the fields, so I expect the same of my colleagues in these scrimmages that we will have.”
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Cruz’s surgery was arthroscopic, cleaning the joint that had bone scar tissue from previous injuries. Doctors at PSG, Cruz’s club, made the call for the 29-year-old to get surgery. Cruz had surgery on her right now as a youth player, as well.
Costa Rica will need Cruz healthy to have a shot at getting out of the group — with Brazil, South Korea and Spain — in their first Women’s World Cup. Cruz is the engine of Costa Rica in central midfield and the country’s most successful professional player abroad. She won six straight French league titles and two UEFA Champions League crowns with Lyon before switching to rival PSG.
Costa Rica will play in the Istria Cup in Croatia beginning next week. The tournament consists of 11 European teams — including France’s ‘B’ team — and Las Ticas. Costa Rica is grouped with Austria, Ireland and Slovakia.
Esta bota es para el frío, el equipo me la dio para bajar la inflamación lo antes posible pic.twitter.com/FOzsjMu3AC
— Shirley Cruz (@ShirleyCruzCR) February 26, 2015
Así luce la rodilla ¡iniciando desde ya la recuperación! pic.twitter.com/iF0JMDTlxt
— Shirley Cruz (@ShirleyCruzCR) February 26, 2015
I have had much trouble in my knee several time has not allowed me to play at 100%, so we decided to have surgery Thursday
— Shirley Cruz (@ShirleyCruzCR) February 24, 2015
I don't like to miss important games in league and Champions but better things will come. Thank you all for your love!
— Shirley Cruz (@ShirleyCruzCR) February 24, 2015
