Catarina Macario out of the Women’s World Cup: what injury does she have and when will she be back?

Another huge name has been taken off the roster of available players at the upcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The list that included names such as Leah Williamson, Vivianne Miedema, Janine Becky, Fran Kirby and the USA’s Mallory Swanson has a new casualty: Catarina Macario.

The Lyon player announced on her social media that she would not be able to take part in the tournament due to a long-term injury, joining Swanson and Mewis on the sidelines. “I’m sad to say I won’t be physically ready for selection to our U.S. World Cup team”, she posted online.

What injury does Macario have?

The 23-year-old, who at the time was the most promising talent in US football, tore her ACL last June. She was playing in Lyon’s final game of the 2021-22 season and initially, her recovery time was said to be around 13 months. Macario underwent surgery and started her rehabilitation process but unfortunately the decision has now been taken to delay her return until after the World Cup in July.

The attacker spent some of her recovery period in Qatar, and in February, USWNT head coach, Vlatko Andonovski, said that Macario was doing well: “She’s going back to Lyon to start team training middle of February, and then hopefully we can see her starting playing for her club team sometime in the second half of March.”

Will Macario sign for Chelsea next season?

However, the player, who is said to be willing to sign for Chelsea when her current deal expires with Lyon this summer, did not recover as scheduled and will miss the showpiece tournament. The Brazilian-born American started her playing career with Stanford University, scoring 63 goals in 68 matches, before moving to Lyon in January 2021.

Macario hints at being ready for the start of next season, saying “However, what’s most important right now is my health and getting fit and ready for my next club season.”