Edson Alvarez, who was forced to leave the game with an injury just 30 minutes into Mexico’s Copa America match, is due to undergo a medical examination.
Alvarez, 26, appeared injured and was distraught during the first half of Mexico’s tournament opener against Jamaica at NRG Stadium in Houston.
The midfielder stopped during a retreat to thwart a Jamaican counterattack and was in tears as medical staff treated him on the field.
He was then helped off the pitch by staff and consoled by his teammates, with Luis Romo coming on from the bench to replace him.
In Alvarez’s absence, Gerardo Arteaga scored a goal in the second half to give the team a 1-0 victory.
“We’ll wait a few days and do some tests to get a better idea of his condition,” Mexico coach Jaime Lozano said after the game.
Alvarez was sent off within 30 minutes of Mexico’s opening goal (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
“He felt something on his leg so we decided to take him out.”
“He’s extremely important,” Lozano added. “He’s a leader, he understands the game well. He’s important on the pitch and in the dressing room.”
“When you listen to him, he is well articulated and when he speaks, you listen. This is a tough blow for all of us… We will await the results in two days.”
The tournament will be Alvarez’s first since being named captain by coach Lozano in May.
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He spoke at his pre-match press conference on Friday about what an honour it would be to lead his country in the Copa.
“I really want this to get started. I want to go out there tomorrow with the captain’s armband on and hear the Mexican national anthem in front of a crowd,” he said.
“It gives me goosebumps when I think about it.”
A long-term injury would also be a major blow to Premier League club West Ham United, to whom Alvarez joined from Ajax last summer for 34.4 million pounds ($44.1 million).
He impressed in his first season in English football, making 42 appearances in all competitions for the East London side.
Since making his international debut in 2017, Alvarez has made 80 appearances for the national team, scoring five goals.
(Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
