Kenan Yildiz Out with Calf Injury Before Turkey's World Cup Start

Kenan Yildiz will not participate in Juventus’s concluding Serie A match against Torino after sustaining a calf injury during training. This fixture is important for Juventus as they strive to qualify for the Champions League.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Yildiz has a minor tear in his calf muscle rather than a full rupture, with an estimated recovery period of approximately three weeks. This timeframe overlaps with Turkey’s upcoming World Cup fixtures, putting his tournament readiness in question.

Turkey is scheduled to commence its World Cup campaign on 14 June against Australia, which is exactly three weeks away. Yildiz is competing to prove his fitness before the competition begins. National team coach Vincenzo Montella has named a preliminary squad of 35 players, from which nine will be cut to finalize the 26-player roster. Yildiz and teammate Arda Güler are viewed as important prospects for Turkey’s squad.

In the group stage, Turkey will also face Paraguay on 20 June and the United States on 26 June. Whether Yildiz will be able to participate in these matches remains uncertain due to his injury.

Yildiz, aged 21, has had an impressive season in Turin, earning the title of Serie A’s "Rising Star of the Season." Born in Regensburg, he developed through Bayern Munich’s youth academy before moving to Juventus following stalled contract talks with Bayern.

Since joining Juventus, Yildiz has made a swift impact, gaining first-team opportunities and appearing 28 times for Turkey’s senior national team, scoring five goals. His performances this season have enhanced his reputation as a promising talent in Italian football.