In an attempt to revive his stalled career at Paris Saint-Germain, Georginio Wijnaldum answered José Mourinho’s lure this summer. But now a misfortune has befallen him.
With the Winter World Cup in Qatar just a few months away and Georginio Wijnaldum desperate to feature for his native Netherlands, the midfielder recently opted for a move to Roma.
After his move from Liverpool to PSG, the long-time regular has experienced a dip in his career, not having been first-choice due to several injuries and consequently not getting as much match practice. All that should change with his move to the José Mourinho-coached Giallorossi – direct substitution in last week’s 1-0 win at US Salernitana in their Serie A opener included.
OP necessary?
However, a day before the Romans’ first home game, against promoted side US Cremonese this Monday, a sporting GAU has happened to Wijnaldum. As his club announced on Sunday evening, the 31-year-old veteran suffered a fractured tibia in training.
Roma has not yet given any information about a possible downtime and the type of treatment that will be necessary – but it can be assumed that such an injury will result in a downtime of weeks. And that automatically puts the 86-time Dutch international (26 goals) at risk for the World Cup, which starts on 20 November 2022 and lasts until 18 December, and the hoped-for appointment by 71-year-old Bonds coach Louis van Gaal.
“In the coming days, the player will undergo further examinations,” the Italian first division club added. An operation cannot be ruled out, which, if the worst comes to the worst, is likely to drag out the downtime even further.
