Chile's chances in Brazil this year were boosted Saturday as doctors offered a sunny prognosis of Arturo Vidal's ability to recover from knee surgery. However, the idea of the country's star midfielder participating in Brazil while short of full fitness having played through injury at his club has irked the country's fanbase.
The Juventus midfielder had an operation to repair a meniscus injury May 7, just five weeks ahead of the World Cup. Despite doctors' estimates the day after the operation of a timely return to fitness, La Roja fans took to social media in their droves to bid farewell to their chances of exiting Group B of Australia, the Netherlands and Spain. The sense was that Chileans would sooner sacrifice any other soldier -- including Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez -- than be left without "King Arthur."
While Juventus club doctor Fabrizio Tencone made assurances Saturday that Vidal will make the opening fixture against Australia, few are under the pretense that he will be at full fitness -- a situation that may have been exacerbated by delays in the surgery, according to Chilean broadsheet La Tercera.
On April 25, Vidal underwent a medical exam due to continued discomfort in his right knee. Following tests, Antonio Conte said Vidal, "just needs to rest and recover." On April 27, the Juventus manager said that Vidal's injury was merely down to, "inflammation in the meniscus region."
Vidal then played a total of 89 minutes between April 28 and his surgery -- 10 minutes against Sassuolo in Serie A and 79 minutes in a crucial Europa League clash with Benfica.
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However, orthopedic specialist Ramon Cugat -- a medical professional at Barcelona upon whose recommendation the surgery was ultimately green-lit -- had reviewed scans on April 25. Eleven days and two matches before the surgery, Cugat concluded that Vidal's pain was not only due to swelling, but a "rupture of the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus."
On Saturday, Tencone denied reports that surgery had been postponed in order to ensure Vidal's participation toward the end of Juventus' title-winning campaign.
"I saw that there was a controversy in Chile for the alleged delay," he said. "There was no delay -- it would have been a medical error to operate before, it was correct to manage this non-surgically at the beginning."
The furor and rumour surrounding Vidal's fitness in his homeland exists because most fans believe a successful World Cup campaign depends on the player's participation. While this would come as little surprise to Serie A spectators, this is a relatively fresh perspective among the La Roja faithful.
Partnered with wizened midfield veteran Andrea Pirlo, Vidal was central to the Juventus revolution that swept three consecutive scudettos, although the player was accused of failing to replicate his club form in the early stages of World Cup qualification.
Poor showings and indiscipline against Ecuador contributed to a four-game losing streak in 2012 that spelled the end for former La Roja coach Claudio Borghi and left Chile on the brink of failing to qualify for Brazil.
Vidal's multifaceted talent may have played a part in his international nadir. Known in Italy as "Il Camaleonte" ("The Chameleon"), the Chilean's claim as the current game's best box-to-box midfielder is perhaps only rivaled by Ivory Coast's Yaya Toure.
Borghi often chose to deploy Vidal at the back of the park, on occasion as a central defender when the injury list was long. The decision was not entirely bewildering -- Borghi was simply bolstering the weakest area of his side with his best player -- but what Vidal can offer in a more receded role pales in comparison to the havoc he can wreak up front.
His goalscoring ability -- described by Conte as "cold-blooded" -- spoke for itself as he netted four times in Chile's five final qualifiers when played behind the frontmen under current coach Jorge Sampaoli. His reputation also has a huge impact -- opposition defenders will close him down in packs, opening up space for colleagues to exploit as was seen in a 6-0 drubbing of Iraq.
Chile can play well without Vidal -- he didn't feature in the 2-0 humbling of England at Wembley -- although his presence lifts the performances of those around him, as well as the spirit of the crowd. His ability in the air is also a huge attribute, as Chile is, along with Costa Rica and Japan, the shortest team heading to the World Cup. His aerial prowess will come in handy in his side's opening match against Australia, the competition's tallest side.
The fact that Vidal's improving international form coincided with La Roja's successful late push to World Cup qualification has had ramifications within the Chilean psyche -- fans feel the player's fitness is inextricably linked to the team's fortunes in Brazil. Having so recently gone under the blade, "King Arthur's" crown has never sat heavier.