Philadelphia, June 26(HS): Bastos, an experienced defender, is out of Botafogo’s FIFA Club World Cup squad due to a recurring knee injury, as announced on Wednesday. The 34-year-old Angola international, who was an unused substitute in the recent 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, had just returned from a previous injury.

After the match, he reported knee pain and is being sent back to Brazil for treatment. Botafogo, which finished second in Group B, will face Palmeiras in the Round of 16 on Saturday. Since joining from Al-Ahli in 2023, Bastos has played 60 matches for Botafogo and contributed to their recent successes.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar