SAO PAULO (AP) - Brazil right back Dani Alves said he’s at peace despite the knee injury that forced him out of the World Cup in Russia. The 35-year-old also revealed Saturday he knew he was going to miss the tournament as soon as he felt the first pains on Tuesday.
Alves, who is one of the main leaders of Brazil’s team, said in a video that he wants fans and teammates to take nothing but good energies from him.
“Maybe my ego is a bit hurt right now, but my soul is at peace because I always tried to do my best,” Alves said in his social media channels.
In a text published by The Players’ Tribune, the Brazilian said he felt he was out of the World Cup as soon as he injured his right knee Tuesday in the French Cup final win with Paris Saint-Germain. PSG said his anterior cruciate ligament detached. The Brazilian Football Confederation said in a statement on Friday he needs surgery.
“When I felt the pain in my knee, my soul went out of my body. I knew from the moment I hit the ground that I was not going to be on the plane to Russia for the World Cup,” Alves wrote.
“In the changing room, the PSG doctors told me that we would have to wait until the next day to get the results of some tests, but I knew in my heart that it was over,” he continued. “I only cried one time, when I was by myself. And let me tell you something: I don’t want anybody to cry for me. I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me. I have lived my dreams.”
Brazilian football confederation doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said Alves will be sidelined for about six months after his surgery.
Lasmar said the date of the operation will be decided by PSG and Alves, who played for Brazil in the last two World Cups and has 107 appearances for the team since his 2006 debut.
Brazil coach Tite will announce his squad Monday in Rio de Janeiro. Previously he played Manchester City’s Danilo, Corinthians’ Fagner, and Bayern Munich’s Rafinha in Alves’ position.
On Sunday, Lasmar is expected to examine Fagner, who has been recovering since April 29 from a thigh injury.
Danilo and Rafinha have had few chances under Tite, who counted on Alves as a leader.
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