USMNT midfielder Kevin Paredes has suffered a setback in his recovery from a foot injury.
The 21-year-old underwent surgery to insert a pin in his foot in the U.S. last Friday, with his German club Wolfsburg confirming the procedure “went smoothly”. Sources close to the player indicate that he may not return until January.
Paredes, who shone for the U.S. men’s Olympic team in Paris this summer, has been unable to play any part in Wolfsburg’s season so far following a breakthrough campaign in 2023-24 when he made 28 appearances and scored three goals.
He fractured his foot during training in August and had been close to a return earlier this month. However, persistent pain prompted the decision to have a small pin inserted to complete the healing process.
Normally, the recovery from such a procedure takes around two months. Wolfsburg will monitor Paredes carefully and hope for a potentially swifter outcome given all his rehabilitation efforts have strengthened his foot.
The conservative estimate, though, is that he will return to full fitness after Wolfsburg’s winter break in January. It means he could also be unavailable for selection for the national team’s January 18 friendly with Venezuela in Fort Lauderdale.
“Unfortunately after 14 weeks of rehab, I have undergone surgery and will be sidelined for a bit longer this season,” Paredes wrote on Instagram. “I want to wish my team-mates and fans all the best for the remainder of the time. I can’t wait to return and get back to doing what I love most.”
Paredes is continuing his recovery at home in Virginia.
(Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
