Philippe Coutinho
Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho will miss this year’s Copa America as he is recovering from a knee injury.
The 28-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday and will be sidelined until at least August, according to Brazil national team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar.
“I can say that he will not recover in time for the Copa America,” Lasmar told Brazilian sports outlet Globo Esporte.
The surgery, which Lasmar performed at his private clinic in the southeastern Brazilian city of Belo Horizonte, was Coutinho’s third operation on the knee since January.
The playmaker has not played since suffering lateral meniscus damage in Barcelona’s 1-1 home draw with Eibar on December 29.
“His return will depend on how he responds to treatment. We need to be cautious and we will not make predictions,” Lasmar said.
Coutinho has made 14 appearances for Barcelona since returning from a season-long loan with Bayern Munich last September.
The Copa America will be played in Colombia and Argentina from June 13 to July 10.
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