Uruguay star Suarez could miss World Cup after knee surgery

Uruguay could be without striker Luis Suarez in next month’s World Cup — which is another way of saying Uruguay could be left without a chance in next month’s World Cup.

Suarez, who tied Cristiano Ronaldo for the European scoring title with 31 goals for Liverpool this season, had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Thursday to repair meniscus damage. According to a statement from the Uruguayan soccer association, Suarez complained of “intense pain” during training on Wednesday and underwent the 30-minute procedure the next day.

Estimates on his recovery time range from 15 days to four weeks. Uruguay opens World Cup group play on June 14 against Costa Rica

“Suarez might be ready to play in Brazil,” the association said.

Speculation in Uruguay was that Suarez may have torn the meniscus in Liverpool’s final Premier League game on May 10. That speculation led to an online death threat against Newcastle defender Paul Dummett, who fans in Uruguay blame for the injury. Dummett crashed into Suarez near the end of the match in what appeared to be an accidental collision.

“We know the surgery was a success and that the injury is not serious,” association president Wilmar Valdez told the Uruguayan newspaper La Ovacion. “We have to wait and see how he recovers. These are injuries that, considering Suarez’s fitness and if the recovery is good, will not take long for him to return to play.”