Mexico’s captain, Edson Alvarez, suffered a devastating injury in the Copa America opener against Jamaica, casting doubt on his tournament prospects. The West Ham United defender clutched his hamstring and exited the pitch in tears just 30 minutes into the game, leaving his teammates concerned.

The Group B match in Houston was a tight contest, with Mexico edging out a 1-0 victory thanks to a stunning goal from left-back Gerardo Arteaga in the 69th minute. West Ham’s Michail Antonio, playing for Jamaica, thought he had opened the scoring in the second half, but his header was ruled offside by VAR.

Alvarez’s injury has coaches and fans worried about his fitness for the remainder of the tournament. While his teammates and coach Jaime Lozano acknowledge his leadership and influence on the pitch and in the locker room, they will have to wait for his injury assessment before determining his role going forward. Mexico’s next match is against Venezuela on Thursday, and the result of this game will impact their standing in the tournament.

The incident caused distress for Alvarez, who was supported by his teammates as he left the pitch.

Alvarez’s visible distress as he limped off the pitch has coaches and fans concerned about his fitness.

Mexico’s coach, Lozano, acknowledged the importance of Alvarez to the team, saying, “You listen to him talk, he has a way with words, and when he speaks, you listen. This injury is a tough blow for all of us.” Defender Cesar Montes echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Alvarez’s role as a leader and a pivotal piece of the team.

West Ham United’s Michail Antonio (center) believed he had scored the game’s opening goal for Jamaica.

With Mexico’s victory over Jamaica, they are now level on three points with Venezuela, who defeated Ecuador 2-1 earlier in the day. The Copa America continues, and fans eagerly await updates on Alvarez’s condition and his potential return to the pitch.