SAO PAULO, June 25 (Xinhua) -- Sao Paulo and Ecuador international defender Robert Arboleda faces a race against time to be fit for the World Cup as he recovers from ankle surgery.
The 30-year-old underwent the procedure on Friday after scans revealed he ruptured ligaments in his left ankle during Sao Paulo's 1-0 home win over Palmeiras in the Copa do Brasil on Thursday.
Sao Paulo did not provide an estimate of the recovery time but local media reported Arboleda could miss the World Cup, to be played in Qatar from November 21 to December 18.
The center-back, who has been capped 15 times for Ecuador's national team, is one of nine players on Sao Paulo's injury list, which also includes Colombian midfielder Andres Colorado.
Ecuador has been drawn in Group A of football's showpiece tournament alongside hosts Qatar, the Netherlands and Senegal.
