Atletico Madrid are monitoring two injury concerns heading into a defining week of their season, after midfielder Johnny Cardoso and striker Alexander Sørloth both returned from international duty carrying knocks.
Cardoso, the 24-year-old American who has become one of Diego Simeone’s most trusted midfield options this season, suffered a muscular injury in his left thigh while away with the United States national team.
He played 45 minutes for the USMNT against Belgium before feeling discomfort, and head coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed he was sent back to Madrid to begin rehabilitation.
Atletico confirmed the injury in a club statement, with the midfielder now facing assessment to determine how long he will be sidelined.
Sørloth’s situation is different in nature but no less concerning. The Norwegian forward sustained an incised-contused wound to the right frontolateral region that required several stitches, and the club said he will be assessed by their medical staff upon returning to Madrid.
The timing could not be more awkward for Simeone. Atletico host Barcelona in La Liga on Saturday before travelling to Camp Nou four days later for the start of their Champions League quarter-final.
Cardoso started both legs of Atletico’s last-16 win over Tottenham and has been central to the team’s engine room, while Sørloth offers a physical presence in attack that Simeone often relies on to complement Julian Alvarez.
The club has not confirmed return timelines for either player, but with three meetings against Barcelona on the horizon, Atletico will need answers quickly.
