Jerdi Schouten Out of World Cup After Cruciate Surgery

Jerdi Schouten, the captain of PSV Eindhoven, has been ruled out of the World Cup following a cruciate ligament injury sustained during a match against Utrecht. The injury occurred in the second half of the game on Saturday, which PSV won 4-3, when Schouten twisted his knee and was subsequently taken off the field on a stretcher.

Further examinations confirmed the severity of the injury, which typically requires a recovery period of six to nine months. Schouten expressed initial hope that the injury was not severe, but it turned out to be a significant setback.

This injury is a considerable blow for both Schouten and PSV Eindhoven, as he has made 40 appearances across all competitions this season, including 28 league games, helping the team inch closer to a third consecutive title. Schouten made his international debut in 2022 and has played 17 times for the Netherlands, with his last full 90-minute appearance occurring in a friendly against Ecuador the previous week.