Ugarte: This will stay with me for life...

Manuel Ugarte, who started all three of Uruguay's matches at the 2026 World Cup, was unable to complete the first half of their crucial 0-1 defeat against Spain. The match led to his team's premature exit from the group stage, with the reason being a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Nearly 48 hours after the incident and the confirmation of the severe diagnosis, the Manchester United midfielder is preparing to miss almost the entire upcoming season. He posted an emotional message on social media, expressing his disappointment.

“It's been a few days. To suffer the worst injury for a footballer in one of the most important matches for my country, and for everything to end this way, unable to support my teammates on the field until the end and without representing my country as it deserves, is something that will stay with me for life.

Hitting rock bottom will make me stronger in every way, and I feel that's exactly what's happening. Undoubtedly, when life wants us to stop, it shows us in some way. It's up to me to extract the positive from this. To triumph in life means to start over every time you fall.

Thanks to the Uruguayan Federation and Man. United for their support from the very first minute. Huge thanks also to my family, my friends, and for all the messages of support I've received during this time. I will come back stronger,” Ugarte wrote.

All 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico can be watched live on bnt.sportal.bg.