According to USMNT reports, Sergiño Dest will miss the competition due to fitness concerns. The PSV star has been carefully recovering from an ACL injury. This setback sidelined him for nearly 11 months. Nevertheless, Dest made a return to the field in March 2025.

Despite having returned to the pitch, the player and the USMNT medical staff decided not to rush his comeback. Participating in such a physically demanding tournament could jeopardize his recovery. They mutually opted to prioritize his long-term health by excluding him from the Gold Cup roster.

Sergiño Dest’s absence poses a significant challenge for the team. Before his injury, he had reclaimed his top form. He earned recognition as one of the team’s standout players and contributed to their league championship victory. Careful management of his physical workload will help him reestablish himself at the elite level. Consequently, he can return to the USMNT in top condition.

Sergiño Dest opens up on painful ACL injury recovery at PSV

After an underwhelming stint at FC Barcelona, Sergiño Dest found a fresh start with PSV at the onset of the 2023-24 season. The loan move rejuvenated his career, as he emerged as a key offensive force and standout performer for the Dutch side. However, an unfortunate ACL injury in April 2024 threatened to derail his progress just as his loan spell neared its conclusion. Despite the setback, PSV demonstrated their faith in him, securing a permanent transfer from Barcelona.

Dest then embarked on a 322-day recovery journey, separated from the field but supported by PSV’s medical team. “…They were very complicated months,” he confessed. “I had to relearn how to walk. I couldn’t even lift a kilogram with my leg. It was really strange. This teaches us to value the importance of a healthy body,” he shared, as reported by Diario Sport.

Triumphantly, Sergiño returned to the pitch, quickly reaching his peak form again. He demonstrated remarkable resilience, particularly in a crucial match against Sparta Rotterdam that secured the league title for PSV. With his skills back on full display, he could soon capture the attention of elite European teams. However, maintaining consistent performance and staying in competitive rhythm will be crucial for such prospects.

“With Messi, you’ve got to run because then he’ll give it to you. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen more often because for the first couple of months, you’ve got to understand him, and then he left. I had felt like (if he stayed) the next season I would have had an even better relationship with him,” said Dest in an interview with The Athletic.

When asked about Messi’s feature “that sets him apart“, Dest said without hesitation: “It’s how he sees spaces, and he can put people in positions where all they need to do is apply the little finishing touch.“One time I played left-back, I saw Messi going inside and I was running and was so open. I was thinking, ‘Now I know why it’s so easy just for Jordi Alba to run into space and get the ball and be free’.

Sergiño also did a striking analogy to explain how easy was to play with the now Inter Miami star: ” You’re playing in La Liga but it felt like playing in Eredivisie against a relegation team the amount of space you had because of how good Messi’s passing was. I would have loved more time with him.

2020-21 was the only season Dest got to play with Messi, before the Argentinian’s shocking move to PSG. “We had built rapport. I started to feel more comfortable in the team and knew what I had to do. I was more prepared, mature and developed, and felt the second season would be more successful,” finished the USMNT star.

Inter Miami’s Jordi Alba advice for Dest

One of Barcelona’s key figures, Jordi Alba, took Dest under his wing during that first season. Alba, who has won numerous trophies with both Barcelona and the Spain national team, advised the American not only on his position but also on his career and potential.

“Alba always told me, ‘The only thing that can bring you down is your concentration.’ I know he’s right. If I’m concentrating then I’m a top player and very consistent.

“It’s not easy to get everything right in one year. I was really confident when I arrived but if you play a bad pass early and get players shouting at you, it hits your confidence. They don’t really know you, so they say to play it simple but I need confidence in me to show my quality.” he said.

When will Sergiño Dest play again?

Dest is still recovering from a knee ligament injury he suffered in April. This caused him to miss the end of season in PSV and the Copa America, which was held in his country.

The full-back is halfway through his rehabilitation and hopes to be fit to return in March. He’s expecting to be one of the most influential performers for the USMNT alongside Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie after the naming of Mauricio Pochettino as the new head coach.

This time, coach Gregg Berhalter has a team full of promising young players who are already playing in Europe’s top teams. However, defender Sergiño Dest is surprisingly not on the roster for Copa America 2024.

The team led by Christian Pulisic will seek to lift for the first time this trophy so desired by the countries from CONMEBOL and CONCACAF. The question is whether they will be able to make it despite the absence of the talented Sergiño Dest.

Sergiño Dest out of Copa America 2024

U.S. defender Sergiño Dest will miss Copa America 2024 due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee that will require surgery. He was injured during a training session with PSV and will be out of action for around 9 months.

The former Barcelona defender announced his injury through social networks:

“Unfortunately I tore my anterior cruciate ligament and will soon undergo surgery. I’m going to do my best to get back to my level as soon as possible. It will be a very tough period for me but I know it will only make me stronger. I will be back to make them proud.”

The USMNT heads into the upcoming Gold Cup as the favorites, aiming to defend their title and continue their recent dominance in the tournament. As co-hosts of the competition, the USMNT has the added advantage of playing on home soil.

Having emerged victorious in the previous edition and securing the CONCACAF Nations League title by defeating Mexico in the semifinals and Canada in the final, the USMNT enters the tournament with confidence and high expectations.

The current roster has several notable absences in its quest to defend the title, including the talented Sergiño Dest. However, there is still a good chance for the USMNT to clinch another Gold Cup triumph to their resume.

Why isn’t Sergiño Dest playing for the USMNT?

In the semifinals against Mexico, the defender saw the red card. He was suspended for two games, but that’s not the reason why he is not in the competition. Sergiño Dest isn’t part of the roster because the USMNT opted to form a team without most of the European-based players. That’s why the roster is full of MLS players ready to use this opportunity to see meaningful minutes.

AC Milan will not exercise their buy option and FC Barcelona has no interest in keeping the USMNT player. Now Dest must find a new home and according to Mundo Deportivo that home will be in the Bundesliga.

The team in question is Union Berlin, who sit third in the league and will most likely play the UEFA Champions League next season if they can stay in the top spots. Union Berlin is also home to USMNT striker Jordan Pefok who had a red-hot start but since has produced 5 goals in 38 matches.

Sergiño Dest to Union Berlin

According to the Mundo Deportivo report the move of Sergiño Dest to Union Berlin would again be a season long loan. Dest and Union Berlin have reportedly agreed to terms and Barcelona is set to green light the deal.

Despite not having a proper right full back, Dest is not in Xavi’s plans going forward and the move to Union Berlin will be yet another opportunity for Dest to secure a permanent home.

Dest had average performances during his time at Barcelona and was virtually a non-factor at AC Milan. At 22, and despite his talent finding a place to shine has been elusive for Sergiño Dest.

Since then, it has been all downhill, the former Ajax and Barcelona wing back has played no role on loan to AC Milan, playing in only 14 matches across all competitions this season.

A worrying trend for Dest who was slated to be one of the best USMNT players due to his club situation and skill on the ball. Dest has been criticized now twice, in Spain and Italy, for his lack of marking skills despite his raw talent.

Sergiño Dest in club limbo

Now according to Fabrizio Romano, Dest will not be returning to Barcelona either, rather needing a new home, his third in four years. “I’m told Barca will look for another club. I don’t see him staying at Barcelona, it could be a loan, it could be a permanent transfer. But for Sergino Dest, it will be another busy summer.”

That is what Romano reported, since he left Ajax in 2020, Dest played many criticized games at Barcelona (72) and his loan to AC Milan has not panned out. Dest could still be on many teams wish list but a move to big club now seems unlikely.

Dest’s complete body of work at the World Cup may make him the USMNT’s best player, with decisive dribbles and forward play, but most importantly Dest look comfortable defending, a trait often lacking during his Barcelona and early Milan days.

Dest has played a total of 9 games for the Italian giants while on loan from Barcelona, the FIFA World Cup plus what the AC Milan brass see day in, and day out have made the club decide that keeping Dest is the best option.

AC Milan to purchase Sergiño Dest outright

According to HITC, Dest had some interest from Premier League side Leeds United, but AC Milan will not wait until the end of the season to decide on Dest, instead the club will go ahead and purchase Sergiño Dest’s contract from Barcelona for a reported $20 million.

Dest was loaned to AC Milan after a rather up and down 72 matches at Barcelona, where Dest’s name was thrown in the mud at times or used as transfer bait. At the World Cup the perception of Dest changed tenfold with solid tackles, dangerous runs, and impressive dribbling skills.

Dest provided an assist in Christian Pulisic’s game winning goal against Iran and was one of the best players for the USMNT against the Netherlands in their 3-1 defeat. Overall, many pundits believe that Tyler Adams, Tim Weah, and Sergiño Dest were the top three performers for the United States at the FIFA World Cup.

Though the farthest the Stars and Stripes got at a FIFA World Cup was a third-place finish in 1930, it’s been two decades since the USA got past the last 16 of the tournament, when they reached the quarterfinals at Korea/Japan.

Therefore, all eyes will be on Gregg Berhalter‘s men on Saturday. But one of the biggest storylines about thisgame will also be the fact that one of the USMNT’s stars could have chosen to play for the Dutch national team.

Sergiño Dest could have represented the Netherlands instead of the USA

USMNT right-back Sergiño Dest was born and raised in Almere, a small city a few miles away from Amsterdam, the capital city of the Netherlands. While his mother is Dutch, Sergiñoalso had an American passport thanks to his Surinamese-American father.

On October 28, 2019, Sergiño Dest announced his decision to play internationally forthe USMNTinstead of the Netherlands. Before comitting to the USA, Dest had already represented their youth teams— while he felt rejected by the Dutch program.

“Every time I got to the [last round of selection] for the Netherlands youth team, I didn’t make it,” Dest said in an interview with ESPN in 2020. “I was like ‘s—, s—, s—,’ but my dad reminded me I also have an American passport.”

Though he didn’t visit the country until he was 14, Dest said he felt comfortable at the US’ youth camp since day one. In the end, the Ajax product believed that he belonged in the USMNT.

“My heart told me the U.S. was the best option for me,” Dest said. “I was raised in the Netherlands. I love it here. But in life, you have to make difficult decisions. I felt the U.S. was the best option. I had played in their youth teams, and I feel at home there. It’s not as if the U.S. is bad at soccer, either. They play in World Cups — and against a lot of the same teams as the Netherlands.”

Time proved that last sentence right. Destiny wanted the USA and the Netherlands to face each other on the biggest of stages, in what will probably be an emotional game for Dest.Using this World Cup Predictor, you can see every potential outcome of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

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In the second game, a much better USMNT held England to a 0-0 draw, hitting the post with a Christian Pulisic shot and pushing England with their press. It was not to be, and the Americans have 2 points after 2 matches in Qatar.

A total of 4 players have beencautioned, three of them are critical to Gregg Berhalter’s system and will need to be cautious for the remainder of the FIFA World Cup should the USMNT advance against Iran.

Who are the USMNT players with yellow cards?

The players with yellow cards at the World Cup are Tim Ream, Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie, and Kellyn Acosta. Walker Zimmerman saved himself from caution after having a penalty called against him for a hard challenge on Bale.

For Gregg Berhalter, he will need to take into account that a key member of his defense, Ream, has a caution and that Dest could miss a match due to accumulation since he is prone to yellows.

Weston McKennie will also have to thread carefully given that his game depends on his box-to-box movement and his defensive ability to take the ball away from an opponent. The USMNT play Iran to finish group play on November 29th.

Xavi was able to right the ship in just a matter of months, making Barca a competitive team again. With help from the front office, who pulled off different moves to raise funds, the new boss was able to strengthen his roster this summer.

Robert Lewandowski, one of the many stars Barca recruited this summer, admitted that Xavi was key in his decision to leave Bayern for the Cules. However, a former Barca player said he is not looking forward to returning to the Camp Nou.

Sergiño Dest not interested in Barcelona return, wants to stay at AC Milan

“There’s a buy option in the contract between AC Milan and Barcelona, so I will do my best here as I hope Milan will sign me on a permanent deal,” Sergiño Dest said in his introductory press conference at AC Milan, via Fabrizio Romano. “I’m really happy here and I will give 100% to stay.”

On Deadline Day, Barcelona sentDest on loan to AC Milan. Though his departure had to do with an attempt to reduce the wage bill and make room to register new arrivals, the American right-back also failed toimpress during his time at Barca.

Dest joined Barcelona from Ajax in the summer of 2020, shortly after Ronald Koeman‘s appointment. Things have changed for the USMNT defender since Xavi arrived, and his performances didn’t helpto change the Spanish boss’ mind.

AC Milan reportedly have a buy option of €20 million to make the deal permanent, something they will decide once they see enough of Dest this season. He has yet to make his debut at AC Milan, but it looks like Dest wants nothing to do with Barca anyway.

Dest has not played a single minute during the start of the LaLiga season but was used during preseason which led to the belief that Dest would see time on the field for Barcelona. The bipolar relationship between the US international and the Catalan club quickly, once again, descended to an all-time low as the player is now in a limbo regarding his future, yet again.

According to Sport, Manchester United is looking to ‘steal’ Dest by offering Barcelona a swap deal for the in the doghouse fullback. Here are further details of the move.

Sergiño Dest to Manchester United?

According to the report Sergiño Dest would move to Manchester United in exchange for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, a right back that played 20 Premier League games last season. What makes this deal unique is that United would loan Wan-Bissaka to Barcelona for Dest for one season, an odd practice to say the least.

According to sources, the slander of Sergiño Dest by the Catalan media and internally at the club comes down to money. Barcelona have seen Dest as a commodity they can move on for a transfer fee, his value is estimated to be 30 million euros. Despite interest from Chelsea and Bayern Munich no formal offer has been sent.

It is reported by Helena Condis that the USMNT full back has stated to the club if given the proper opportunity he can be “important” to the team. Dest has long wanted to make his move to Barcelona work but his relationship with the club has been very much stop and go.

Dest has turned in mixed performances during his time at Barcelona but looked to have been improving at the start of last season until a series of injuries kept him out of the squad for most of the second half of the LaLiga season.