Aránguiz Raises Doubts for Chile Duty After Injury: “We’ll Decide Together”

Charles Aránguiz delivered a standout performance in Universidad de Chile’s emphatic 6-0 victory over O'Higgins, a win that brings them closer to the league’s top spot with two matches in hand. But despite his brilliance on the field, concerns have emerged over the midfielder’s fitness ahead of Chile’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The 35-year-old, a key figure in Chile’s Golden Generation, was subbed off in the final minutes and promptly received medical attention. Though Ricardo Gareca has included him in the squad for the international window, Aránguiz’s availability is now uncertain.

Speaking to TNT Sports, he opened up about his physical struggles. “I’ve been dealing with issues in my ankle and Achilles tendon for a while. It’s mainly due to the match load I’ve been carrying,” he revealed. The demanding schedule appears to be taking its toll.

“We’ll assess everything with the doctors. The national team’s medical staff is already informed, and we’ll make a decision together,” he said, adding that there's still time to evaluate. “We’ve got tomorrow and Monday to coordinate everything properly.”

Despite the injury scare, Aránguiz took a moment to celebrate the team’s display. “We needed a comeback, and today we gave our fans something to smile about. The whole team—players and coaching staff—is doing things right,” he concluded.