In Euro 2024 'Winning Star'?Spanish guardian Simone is out for a long time due to wrist surgery

Jul 20, 2024

Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Final - Spain v England - Berlin Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany - July 14, 2024 Spain's Unai Simon celebrates with his medal after winning the Euro 2024 REUTERS/Lee Smith<저작권자(c) Yonhap News, 무단 전재-재배포, AI 학습 및 활용 금지>

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Spain's forward #10 Daniel Olmo (R) rises the trophy next to Spain's goalkeeper #23 Unai Simon after winning the UEFA Euro 2024 final football match between Spain and England at the Olympiastadion in Berlin on July 14, 2024. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)<저작권자(c) Yonhap News, 무단 전재-재배포,

'Glory that's only hurtful?'

He threw his whole body for the victory of his country at the Euro tournament, the stage of his dream, but the price of his return was harsh.

This is the story of Unai Simone (27, Athletic Bilbao), Spain's leading gatekeeper. Spanish media 'Marca' reported on the 20th (Korea time) that Simone underwent surgery on his right wrist and is inevitable to be absent for up to five months.

Simone successfully underwent surgery at a hospital in Madrid, Spain, on the 19th and will begin rehabilitation after wearing a right wrist fixture for two months.

His rise to the operating table is tantamount to swapping for the glory of the Euro 2024 Championship. Simon, who was selected for Spain's national team, has been uncomfortable with his right wrist since the opening of Euro 2024. However, he endured the pain and played in a total of six games until the final, except for one group game with a bandage.

Soccer Football - Euro 2024 - Quarter Final - Spain v Germany - Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart, Germany - July 5, 2024 Spain's Unai Simon reacts REUTERS/Angelika Warmuth<저작권자(c) Yonhap News, 무단 전재-재배포, AI 학습 및 활용 금지>

epa11460394 Goalkeeper Unai Simon of Spain in action during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-finals soccer match between Spain and Germany, in Stuttgart, Germany, 05 July 2024. EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI<저작권자(c) Yonhap News, 무단 전재-재배포, AI 학습 및 활용 금지>

Simone showed the prowess of the sign gatekeeper from the first group match against Croatia. He got off to a fresh start, with five saves and an 8.9 rating (based on foot mob), the highest in the team, helping him win 3-0.

Since then, he has allowed only four goals until the final (2-1 win) against England and has firmly defended Spain's iron wall goal. As a result, Spain lifted the Euro tournament trophy for the first time in 12 years and became the winner of the Euro tournament's fourth championship, the most ever.

The time of glory was brief, and the reality of coming back was harsh. Simone must go through a surgery recovery and rehabilitation period for up to five months before returning to the ground. Even if he is lucky and recovers in four months, he will not be able to play in 18 games (14 Premier League games + 4 Europa League games) as a member of Bilbao. If it takes five months, the number of missed games will increase to 25 (19 Premier League games + 6 Europa League games) because they will not be able to play until the end of this year.

Spain's goalkeeper Unai Simon (23) grabs a high ball over Germany's Kai Havertz, center, and Ilkay Gundogan (21) during a quarterfinal match between Germany and Spain at the Euro 2024 soccer tournament in Stuttgart, Germany, Friday, July 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)<저작권자(c) Yonhap News, Unauthorized reproduction-Redistribution, prohibition of AI learning and utilization>

In addition, he will not be able to play in five A matches scheduled for September and November. He wanted to increase his stock price further in the A-match on the back of his Euro 2024 victory, but he has to be pushed back to the 'forgotten star' for a while.

`Marca' said coach Ernesto Valverde will also have his head complicated by the long-term departure of an absolute guardian ahead of his participation in the Europa League.

cms@sportschosun.com

In Euro 2024 'Winning Star'?Spanish guardian Simone is out for a long time due to wrist surgery

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