Blow to Argentina as star is ruled out of World Cup

Argentina's midfielder Manuel Lanzini (left) and Argentina's forward Gonzalo Higuain arrive for a training session at the FC Barcelona 'Joan Gamper' sports centre in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona, on June 7, 2018. PHOTO | LLUIS GENE |

What you need to know:

  • Argentina's national team is due to travel to Russia on Saturday for the World Cup.
  • Argentina have been drawn in Group D alongside Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria.

BARCELONA

West Ham's Argentine midfielder Manuel Lanzini will miss the World Cup after injuring a knee during training in Spain, the Argentine football federation said Friday.

"Manuel Lanzini suffered, in today's morning training, the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee," the federation wrote in a Twitter message.

The 25-year-old, who had been linked with a summer transfer to Liverpool, now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. His injury is a blow for Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli who had counted on Lanzini for his starting line up.

Argentina's national team is due to travel to Russia on Saturday for the World Cup. Argentina have been drawn in Group D alongside Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria.