Gotham FC defender Bruninha suffered a complete tear of the ACL in her right knee while representing Brazil in its 3-1 win over Argentina on Oct. 10, adding to the club’s defensive concerns ahead of the NWSL playoffs.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) confirmed the diagnosis Sunday after clinical and radiological examinations. In its official statement, the federation announced that Bruninha had been withdrawn from Brazil’s squad following the injury.
“The Gotham FC fullback suffered a sprain in her right knee. Following clinical and radiological evaluation, a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was confirmed,” the CBF said.
Bruninha sustained the injury in the second half of Brazil’s victory at Beira-Rio Stadium in Porto Alegre. She went down while attempting to intercept the ball and was taken off the field on a stretcher.
The 24-year-old’s injury adds to Gotham’s defensive woes as the club prepares for the postseason, with Kayla Duran and Emily Sonnett already sidelined by season-ending injuries. The club has not publicly commented on Bruninha’s injury.
Bruninha addressed the injury in an Instagram post on Monday, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to represent Brazil despite the setback.
“I have so much more to be grateful for than to regret. I choose to deal with this in the lightest way I can, no matter how difficult it may be. I feel proud to give everything I have for this shirt, in a stadium full of eyes that turned to watch women’s football. Thank you for the beautiful party, Porto Alegre. If it costs me a lot, it’s worth even more. Dreams are renewed and, at this moment, my dream turns into getting back on the playing field,” Bruninha wrote.
Bruninha will remain with Brazil’s delegation through the end of the October international window before undergoing surgery.
