Craig Burley feels for the Spain players who will miss their Euro 2024 semifinal for picking up just two bookings in five games. (1:23)
Germany’s Toni Kroos has apologised to Pedri after the Spain midfielder was ruled out of the rest of Euro 2024 with a knee injury.
Spain confirmed on Saturday that Pedri suffered a grade two sprain to his left knee, but that he will remain with the squad ahead of Tuesday’s semifinal against France in Munich.
Pedri, 21, picked up the injury in the quarterfinal win over hosts Germany after a challenge from Kroos inside the first 10 minutes of the game.
“I want to apologise and ask for forgiveness, Pedri,” Kroos wrote on Instagram after Germany’s defeat, which marked his final game as a professional footballer before retirement.
“I hope you make a quick recovery. It was not my intention to hurt you and I wish you all the best. You are a great player.”
Kroos was not booked for the challenge on Pedri, which Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said was worthy of a red card.
Spain have not confirmed how long Pedri will be sidelined for but sources say he won’t feature again in Germany, even if La Roja make the final on July 14, with his expected layoff time around one month.
It’s the latest in a string of injuries the Barça player has suffered in recent seasons, although the majority have previously been related to his hamstrings.
However, he finished the domestic season strongly with Barça and had started four of Spain’s five games at the Euros, only missing the win over Albania once they had already qualified from the group.
Spain will also be without defenders Dani Carvajal and Robin Le Normand against France in midweek.
Both will serve one game suspensions, Carvajal after being sent off against Germany and Le Normand for an accumulation of bookings, so would be available for a hypothetical final should they win on Tuesday.