Didier Drogba broke his arm during a World Cup warm-up for the Ivory Coast today and is almost certainly out of the tournament.
The Chelsea striker left the pitch in agony and clutching his right arm after he was pole-axed by a high challenge from Japan defender Tulio in Sion, Switzerland.
Drogba was rushed to hospital where a scan confirmed he had broken his right arm, effectively ruling him out of the month-long tournament, which starts in South Africa a week today.
That is a huge blow for the Ivory Coast as Drogba's sparkling form saw him steer Chelsea to the Double, finish the campaign as the Premier League's top scorer and earned him the title of African Footballer of the Year.
Before the news was confirmed Ivory Coast boss Sven-Goran Eriksson said: "If it's serious, it's very worrying, he is our captain, one of the best strikers in the world."
The former England chief said it was unclear if Drogba was injured by the tackle or landing awkwardly, and did not blame Tulio for the challenge.
"It was unlucky. It wasn't bad or stupid," said the Swede. "He didn't want to hurt anyone. Football is a game of contact."
Drogba showed his importance to his country today, scoring the opener from a 25-yard free-kick just two minutes before he was forced off.
Manchester City's Kolo Toure scored the second from close range but the 2-0 victory was totally overshadowed by Drogba's woe.
This match was the Ivory Coast's last friendly before they begin their campaign against Portugal in 11 days' time. They also face Brazil and North Korea in probably the toughest group of the tournament and without Drogba their chances of reaching the last 16 are severely dented.
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Meanwhile, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque is hopeful Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will be fit for the friendly against Poland on Tuesday night.
Torres has not played since having surgery on his knee in April but Del Bosque said: "I hope he can play to be in the best shape for our first match against Switzerland on 16 June."
