WATCH: Villareal’s Etienne Capoue breaks Real Sociedad star Brais Mendez’s hand in a freak foul during La Liga

The broken hand will make the Spanish star miss 4-6 weeks of football.


WATCH: Villareal’s Etienne Capoue breaks Real Sociedad star Brais Mendez’s hand in a freak foul during La Liga

Etienne Capoue breaks Brais Mendez's hand (Via @FootballEspania/X)

Brais Mendez is one of Real Sociedad’s most important players, starting every La Liga and Champions League fixture when available. Playing in the midfield for Sociedad, he has scored 5 goals and has assisted 5 in 20 appearances. In their recent win over Villareal, a freak foul caused him to miss out on football for the entire year. 

In the 22 minute of the game, Mendez was tripped by Etienne Capoue. The Spanish midfielder fell down but as he attempted to get up, Capoue tried to play on as the whistle wasn’t blown. Going for the ball, Capoue instead kicked Mendez’s right hand. Mendez screamed in pain, but Capoue escaped with just a yellow card. 

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Being taken off, Mendez went for scans and it was revealed his ulna bone was broken. The Ulna bone runs from the wrist to the elbow in the forearm and he needed surgery. Thanks to that, the 26-year-old will now be out for an estimated 4-6 weeks, which means he will return to football in 2024. 

FS Video

He will miss important fixtures, such as their Champions League clash with Inter Milan and La Liga matches against Real Betis and Athletic Club Bilbao. Sociedad are currently 5th in La Liga and at the top of their group in the Champions League. Although they are at the top, they are tied on points with 2023 UCL finalists Inter Milan. 

Real Sociedad upcoming battle with Inter Milan

Although they top their group with 11 points, Real Sociedad are not yet confirmed group winners. The team is now to face Inter Milan, who are also with 11 points. The only thing that divides the two sides is the goal difference, as Sociedad has +5 while Inter has +3. 

Lauturo Martinez Alex Remiro
Lauturo Martinez slotted the ball Alex Remiro to score an 87th-minute equalizer the last time Inter and Sociedad met (Image via Reuters)

Both teams have already qualified, but their fixture will decide which team has an easier fixture in the round of 16. In their last meeting, the two sides drew with one goal each. Sociedad just need a draw to ensure they win their group, while Inter will battle for a win. 

Meanwhile, in La Liga, it looks like Girona could end the game week as table toppers as they lead 1-2 against Barcelona with 20 minutes left. If the score remains, they overtake Real Madrid, who drew with Real Betis. Sociedad’s win over Villarreal also kept them at 5th, 5 points behind 4th place FC Barcelona. 

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