Jorge Valdivia has sought permission from Chile's football federation to miss the national team's upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Iran.
Brazilian club Palmeiras, where Valdivia plays, coach Oswaldo de Oliveira said that the Chilean had asked for more time to recover from a left thigh injury that has sidelined him since December, reports Xinhua.
"He asked the club to help him in his request to miss (international duty). He doesn't want to play for Chile before returning here. I think that's great. I hope that his request is accepted," Oliveira said on Sunday.
Chile will play Iran at Sankt Polten, Austria, on March 26 before confronting Brazil in London three days later.
Valdivia, capped 61 times for Chile, has been plagued by muscle injuries in recent seasons. Oliveira said the 31-year-old was yet to resume full training with Palmeiras.
"In two weeks he will be fit. It's fundamental that he stays with us so that he can focus on his recuperation," Oliveira added.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app