Qatar 2022: Injured Llorente faces World Cup fitness battle

Atletico Madrid international midfielder Marcos Llorente could be sidelined for up to five weeks in a major blow to Spain’s World Cup hopes.

Llorente suffered a thigh injury in the 2-0 Champions League loss at Club Brugge on Tuesday and was replaced in the first half.

“Our player had to be substituted in the 33rd minute of the Champions League match against Brugge due to pain. He underwent tests which revealed muscle damage to his thigh,” said Atletico in a statement on Wednesday.

The club did not reveal how long Llorente would be out of action but Spanish media estimated his absence would stretch to “four to five weeks”.

The World Cup in Qatar gets under way on 20 November.