Brazil's Dani Alves Ruled Out of 2018 World Cup with Knee Injury

Dani Alves has been ruled out of representing Brazil at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia thanks to a knee injury he suffered while playing for Paris Saint-Germain.

The official World Cup Twitter account relayed a message from the Brazilian confederation confirming the news:

Goal's Bruno Andrade reported that after "further tests by the Brazil national team's doctor, Rodrigo Lasmar, it has been determined that the former Barcelona star will not recover in time to represent the Selecao this summer."

Alves originally picked up the injury during PSG's 2-0 win over Les Herbiers in the Coupe de France final on Tuesday.

Manager Unai Emery had hoped for a speedy recovery, per ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson:

However, it seems as though 35-year-old Alves will be denied the chance to play in what would surely have been his last World Cup. The raiding right-back will be missed, since he still has the pace, engine and technique to be a vital outlet in attacking areas, even in the winter of his career.

He has provided five goals and seven assists in all competitions during his first season with Les Parisiens.

Alves would also have offered experience for a squad with a point to prove after the humiliating 7-1 defeat to eventual winners Germany on home soil at the semi-final stage of the 2014 World Cup.

Lucas Sposito of Sport Witness named the potential alternatives to Alves for the Selecao:

However, none of those players offer the same dynamism and winning pedigree Alves would bring.