<p>Mexico captain Edson Alvarez is set to miss the remainder of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-america-tv-schedule/">Copa America 2024</a> due to a significant injury. The dynamic midfielder previously suffered the setback during his team’s opening match of the tournament. Alvarez fell to the turf while attempting to stop a counterattack by <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/jamaica-national-team-tv-schedule/">Jamaica</a> on Saturday. There was immediate concern within the team due to it being a non-contact injury.</p>



<p>After the game, which resulted in a 1-0 win for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/mexico-national-team-tv-schedule/">Mexico</a>, El Tri coach Jaime Lozano confirmed the issue was to Alvarez’s hamstring. Lozano, however, did not know the extent of the problem at the time. Nevertheless, the star took to social media on Wednesday to deliver the disappointing news.</p>



<p>“Unfortunately, my participation in Copa America has come to an end,” Alvarez <a href="https://x.com/miseleccionmx/status/1805818873930735929" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a> in a video released on X. “I have no words — the truth is that it is a hard blow for me because I had that dream as much as my teammates have it but sometimes these things happen in football, and I will have to learn and grow from all this.”</p>



<p>“But I wanted to let you know that I have made the decision to stay with the team until the end, to support and encourage them, as I always have done. Now it will be my turn off the field. It will also help my rehabilitation and return as soon as possible.”</p>



<h2>Multiple teams have expressed concern over field conditions at tournament</h2>



<p>Many have already questioned field conditions during the early stages of Copa America 2024. Argentina described the pitch at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta as a “trampoline” following their victory against Canada last week. Coaches for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/chile-national-team-tv-schedule/">Chile</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/peru-national-team-tv-schedule/">Peru</a> then both complained about similar issues with the field at AT&amp;T Stadium. Peru captain, Luis Advincula, also had to be substituted in the matchup with Achilles discomfort.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240626_WST_513420_Edson-Alvarez-Jamaica-1200x670_607373af.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-513492" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/Edson-Alvarez-Jamaica-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/Edson-Alvarez-Jamaica-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/Edson-Alvarez-Jamaica-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/Edson-Alvarez-Jamaica.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<p>The surfaces in these two stadiums, as well as NRG Stadium, the arena where Alvarez suffered his injury, all typically feature artificial turf. However, Copa America officials essentially forced these stadiums to cover the fake surfaces with real grass. Although it has been seen as a better alternative, laying down sheets of grass on top of turf can still cause issues.</p>



<p>While it has not yet been determined, Alvarez’s non-contact injury may have been due to the makeshift playing field. Even though the players are playing on real grass, there are reportedly still drainage issues. This is due to water on the grass having nowhere to go, as concrete is directly under the surface.</p>



<h2>El Tri can qualify for the quarterfinals with a win on Wednesday</h2>



<p>Alvarez’s injury is a significant setback to Mexico in their quest for the Copa America title. El Tri has appeared in the competition 11 times in the past but has yet to hoist the trophy. The midfielder, just 26, racked up 80 caps for his country. El Tri recently named Alvarez as the team captain. Alvarez previously joined <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/west-ham-tv-schedule/">West Ham</a> last summer, as the Mexican replaced Arsenal-bound superstar Declan Rice.</p>



<p>Mexico will attempt to soldier on at the tournament with defender Cesar Montes as their new captain. El Tri faces <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/venezuela-national-team-tv-schedule/">Venezuela</a> in the Los Angeles area on Wednesday night. SoFi Stadium also happens to be another American arena that will feature real grass on top of artificial turf.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em></p>



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Injured Mexico star to miss Copa America as pitch concerns grow

Mexico captain Edson Alvarez is set to miss the remainder of Copa America 2024 due to a significant injury suffered on Saturday.

Injured Mexico star to miss Copa America as pitch concerns grow - World Soccer Talk


<p>West Ham is already making plans to replace Declan Rice. The club captain is almost certain to depart the club this summer, with Arsenal <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/arsenal-confident-of-signing-declan-rice-for-90-million-20230608-WST-436609.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">currently leading</a> the race. Rice is likely to cost <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/arsenal-tv-schedule/">the Gunners</a>, or any other team, around $115 million. Recent reports suggest that the Hammers have found their replacement for significantly less money.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jun/09/west-ham-target-ajax-midfielder-edson-alvarez-to-replace-declan-rice-football" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Guardian</a></em> is reporting that <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/west-ham-tv-schedule/">West Ham United</a> is targeting Ajax’s Edson Alvarez. The Mexico international has been heavily linked with <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/borussia-dortmund-tv-schedule/">Borussia Dortmund</a> in recent weeks. <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1666462306421669889" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dortmund also needs to fill a gap</a> left behind by an outgoing player. Jude Bellingham has departed the German giants for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a>. This could create a bidding war between the two sides.</p>



<h2>West Ham sees Edson Alvarez as answer to one of many needs</h2>



<p>Ajax is open to selling Alvarez and they know that both West Ham and Dortmund have plenty of money to spend. This would not be ideal for either of the two suitors, as a bidding war only drives that price up. Along with the defensive midfield position, the Hammers have other needs. According to the aforementioned news outlet, Harvey Barnes and James Ward-Prowse are also potential targets for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Premier League</a> side.</p>



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<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="‘Alvarez BELONGS in the Premier League!’ Chelsea &amp; more linked to Ajax’s Mexican star | ESPN FC" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kUmTNN0qvNE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<p>Nevertheless, the Hammers could do far worse than signing Alvarez. The Mexican has been a hit in the Netherlands since he arrived from Club America in 2019. Ajax previously paid around $16 million for the midfielder. It is expected that the Dutch club will demand around $56 million for Alvarez now.</p>



<h5>Midfielder nearly joined Chelsea last summer</h5>



<p>Alvarez looked almost certain to join <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/chelsea-tv-schedule/">Chelsea</a> during last summer’s transfer market. The Blues submitted a late bid for the player and Alvarez was open to the move. However, Ajax eventually rejected the proposal and he remained in the Netherlands for another season.</p>



<p>Fulham’s João Palhinha could very well become an alternative for West Ham should Alvarez choose Dortmund. The Portuguese midfielder only joined the Cottagers last summer in a deal worth around $25 million. Palhinha led all Premier League players in his position in tackles for the 2022/23 season.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / ANP</em></p>


West Ham have reportedly named Edson Alvarez as a possible replacement to the outgoing Declan Rice, but the Hammers are not alone in that bid.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Edson Alvarez"

Copa America 2024

Injured Mexico star to miss Copa America as pitch concerns grow

Ajax

West Ham United trying to sign Mexico midfielder Edson Alvarez