By R. Alexander Núñez
The Netherlands national team suffered a significant drop towards the start of the World Cup 2026. The defender Matthijs de Ligt He will not be able to play in the tournament after undergoing surgery for a back injury that he had had since November.
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The centre-back, currently a Manchester United player, had started the season with good performances and came to be recognized as the best footballer on the team during that same month. However, a back discomfort stopped his continuity and he has not played again since.
The absence of the defender represents a setback for the coach Ronald Koemana few weeks before the start of the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
HARD ABSENCE FOR THE NETHERLANDS! After months of treatment and work to recover from a back injury, Matthijs de Ligt had to undergo surgery and will miss the World Cup… Will Manchester United defender Ronald Koeman miss him?
🏆 #ESPNMundial pic.twitter.com/Gfs4fUsUPr
— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) Could presumably maybe maybe simply 15, 2026
A recovery process that was not enough
De Ligt explained that for several months he tried to avoid surgery and return to the fields, although Finally, the treatment did not work and he had to undergo surgery.. After the operation, he will begin a rehabilitation phase with the aim of rejoining the English club at the beginning of the next season.
“Since November I have tried everything, pushing myself to the limit in each session and exploring every option to be able to return. to do what I love, play football. I am very grateful to everyone who has supported me during this very difficult time in my career. “I continue with the same determination as always to represent United and be able to play as soon as possible,” said the defender.
The footballer will not be able to join the Dutch team’s training camp and will be left out of one of the most important events on the international calendar.
Another blow for Koeman’s list
De Ligt’s loss adds to another shining absence for the European team. Xavi Simons player of Tottenham Hotspur He was also ruled out of the World Cup due to a knee problem.
With both cases confirmed, the Netherlands loses two important pieces in different areas of the field before debuting in the tournament. The coaching staff will have to adjust their final call-up without one of their centre-backs with the most recent experience in elite football and without one of the attackers who were part of the offensive options for the competition.
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