Arturo Vidal has recently been embroiled in discussions not just about his sports career but also his opinions on teammates and rivals. The veteran Chilean midfielder sustained another injury during Colo Colo's recent loss to O'Higgins, which is set to sideline him for several weeks. The news has raised concerns among fans and teammates alike about his fitness and readiness for the upcoming matches.
Colo Colo's disappointing 1-0 loss to O'Higgins on February 26th not only halted their impressive 16-match unbeaten streak but also marked another setback for Vidal. According to TNT Sports journalist Daniel Arrieta, "Arturo Vidal will not participate this coming Sunday against Huachipato. The information I possess indicates he will not play against the steelworkers.”
Adding to the intrigue surrounding his injury, Arrieta revealed, "Vidal did not undergo medical examinations to determine the extent of this muscular injury. According to the latest I’ve asked half-an-hour ago, he hasn’t done tests to ascertain this injury’s measure.”
Further compounding the output of his injury woes, he is currently dealing with discomfort related to his hamstrings, which is classified differently from his previous ailment affecting his soleus, raising questions about his recovery timeline. Arrieta emphasized, "This injury is different from the one he had weeks ago which sidelined him from Colo Colo matches. Now the problem is located around his hamstrings.”
Currently, the club has taken his injury seriously and has decided not to take any risks with his return to play. According to Arrieta, “At the moment, they expect to observe his evolution; he will be kept out from the lineup against Huachipato. They are considering Arturo Vidal’s injury as a muscle strain.”
The match against Huachipato is particularly significant as it was scheduled for March 2nd at the Estadio CAP and offers Colo Colo the opportunity to reclaim their stand as contenders this season. While the ‘Cacique’ is sitting mid-table with three points, the visit to Talcahuano takes place against the backdrop of criticism from Vidal himself about ticket prices for fans. "Thirty lucas the gallery, as they want to make sure,” he remarked during one of his streaming sessions, criticizing the exorbitant charges. "The people of Colo Colo are always present, and they’re just trying to take advantage."
Vidal’s recent comments also included takes on his contemporary soccer players. He firmly stated during the stream, “No, impossible,” when asked if Universidad de Chile plays football significantly surpassing Colo Colo at this point. He mentioned, “Last I checked, Calera lacked the final touch, yet played far superior football than U. de Chile.” Despite acknowledging the ‘U’s improvement lately, he appeared firm about their overall quality compared to his team.
While he continues to respond to pressing topics about the league, Vidal has taken the opportunity to express his opinions on teammates, especially on young talent Iván Román's recent transfer to Atlético Mineiro. Vidal questioned the timing of the move, expressing regret for Román's decision to head to Brazil instead of potentially waiting for opportunities elsewhere, asserting, “I would have waited a bit longer before heading to Brazil. It’s complicated. I hope he does remarkably there.”
Vidal elaborated, “I would have preferred him to go directly to Europe or Argentina. Had he waited, he could have gone to Boca Juniors,” reflecting on how young talent sometimes moves too quickly to larger markets without preparation.
His concerns extend to not just the game itself but also the welfare of his peers and the road they choose through their careers. Having enjoyed significant ventures across Europe and South America, Vidal reflects on his experiences and hopes to see younger players make sound moves to secure their futures.
Despite his injury, the 36-year-old midfielder remains enthusiastic about returning to the pitch, stating, "I’m eager to play against Universidad Católica, God willing," hoping for recovery before their game set for the later date. He hopes to participate as Chile faces Paraguay and Ecuador during the South American qualifiers.
Vidal’s direct and unfiltered commentary has made him resonate with fans and fellow players alike. His opinions on ticket prices and player movements are indicative of his broader views on the sport’s accountability to fans and future generations of players. Whether on or off the field, he continuously pushes for improvement and change, both within his own team and the sport as a whole.
Colo Colo will be keeping diligent oversight on Vidal’s recovery to optimize his return, particularly with such significant fixtures on the horizon. While fans are anxious to see the King back at full strength, they share concerns about his long-term health and the balance between competition and physical wellbeing. Arturo Vidal continues to stand at the intersection of tradition and modernity within the game, representing not only notable talent but also experience and opinionate discourse surrounding Chilean football.