Italy forward Domenico Berardi to miss Euro 2024 with ruptured Achilles tendon

Key Italy forward Domenico Berardi will miss the European Championship after being diagnosed with a complete tear of the Achilles tendon in his right leg on Monday.

The Sassuolo player is slated to undergo surgery on Tuesday, the club said, and likely won’t return until next year.

Returning from a separate injury in January to his left knee, which required surgery, Berardi went down in the 58th minute of Sassuolo’s 1-0 loss at Hellas Verona on Sunday after controlling an errant kick from Verona goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo. He immediately grasped his right ankle and was eventually helped off the pitch by teammates.

Berardi provided two assists during Italy’s run to the European Championship three years ago and was expected to be on the team at this year’s tournament in Germany.

Reporting by The Associated Press.