Argentina's Berizzo set to miss World Cup

Celta Vigo's Argentine international defender Eduardo Berizzo is almost certain to miss the World Cup after breaking his ankle during his team's 1-0 Spanish first division win at Real Mallorca on Saturday.

The 32-year-old former River Plate and Olympique Marseilles player, a member of the Argentine squad during World Cup qualifying, sustained the injury after falling awkwardly following a clash with Mallorca striker Alberto Luque in the fifth minute.

"He was hit in the air and and fell very badly," club doctor Mario Galan told radio station Onda Cero.

"Unfortunately the injury is almost certain to put him out for the rest of the season and for the World Cup, as it will take between four and five months for him to recover. He will now be operated on as soon as possible.

"He is obviously devastated by what has happened," added Dr. Galan.

In the World Cup in South Korea and Japan which starts in May, Argentina are in group F alongside England, Nigeria and Sweden.