RENTON, Wash. (AP) – Belgium center back Zeno De Basto has not played in a game so far. world cup for this summer’s games Because of my injury, He took part in the first training session of the tournament on Sunday.
DeBast said he underwent an additional MRI scan on Saturday for his leg injury, which “received a positive result.” The 22-year-old defender injured his leg while training with Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon last month.
“Everything is going according to plan,” DeBast said. “So, we’re positive. We’re feeling good. We’ll be able to participate in some team training today. So, yeah, things are going well.”
De Basto warmed up with his 26-man squad and then worked independently with his coach during part of Sunday’s training session, which was open to the media. Without De Basto, Belgium opened the group stage with two draws. 5-1 win over New Zealand on Friday nightwill advance to the final tournament as the top of Group G.
“As a player, it’s not easy to watch your team practice and play without being able to participate,” De Basto said in French. “But I’m grateful to be here and grateful to be back here working.”
De Basto played 26 games for Belgium and was included in the squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. It is unclear whether coach Rudi Garcia will insert De Basto into the starting lineup whenever he is deemed fit to play.
Speaking in the French portion of the press conference, De Basto said he could not specify when he would return and did not want to put pressure on himself.
“I want to be 100 percent,” DeBasto said. “That’s the only way to help the team. If it were up to me, I’d already be on the field. I’m just coming back from a tough season with some injuries.”
Belgium’s first knockout match will be played in Seattle on Wednesday against Senegal. Iraq’s 5-0 rout. De Basto praised Sadio Mane’s Senegal, but remains confident in Belgium’s ability moving forward.
“I think it’s going to be a good match. I know we have the qualities,” De Basto said in English. “If we feel good and continue to be positive like we were in the last game, I think it will be a very good game.”
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AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
