Bayern Munich have confirmed that Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara will miss the World Cup with a knee injury.
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On Monday, Thiago tore interior ligaments in his right knee in training while working on his recovery from a previous injury as he sought to return for Saturday's DFB-Pokal final against Borussia Dortmund.
The 23-year-old, who had been named in Spain's provisional squad for Brazil, will now have to undergo an operation that will keep him out both the cup final and this summer's World Cup. Bayern said the surgery would take place in the near future.
.@Thiago6 has suffered a repeat tear of a ligament in his knee and needs surgery. More soon on http://t.co/XyfP0cHroB pic.twitter.com/KrHNP6dNM1
- FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) May 15, 2014
The former Barcelona midfielder -- the son of Brazil's 1994 World Cup winner Mazinho -- had been rebuilding his fitness after partially tearing his interior ligament in Bayern's 3-3 draw against Hoffenheim in late March and had appeared to be on course to face Dortmund prior to the setback.
"It's just bitter for the lad," FC Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told the club's official website. "He's a young guy who's worked hard for his comeback and the World Cup in his father's homeland -- and then suddenly his dreams are shattered. We will take care of him in the next weeks and will do all we can that he will be fit for the start of the 2014-15 season."