Suarez to join Uruguay despite injury, likely to miss Copa group stage

Luis Suarez will be limping across the Atlantic Ocean.

After Suarez hobbled off the pitch in the second half of the Copa del Rey final, Barcelona announced Monday that the Uruguayan forward was diagnosed with a right hamstring injury but will join Uruguay's national team in the United States on June 1 - two days before the Copa America Centenario kicks off - to continue the second phase of his recovery.

Uruguay's team doctor said the Barcelona superstar will likely miss the group stage of the competition.

"Suarez has a hamstring injury that will take about three weeks for recovery," Alberto Pan said. "He will travel directly to the United States. He can play in the knockout stages.

"The coach (Oscar) Tabarez agreed to select him to have him in any stage of the Copa America."

Suarez went down unchallenged in Barcelona's extra-time victory over Sevilla on Sunday, a result that saw the Blaugrana defend its Copa del Rey crown and claim its 28th overall. The product of Club Nacional de Football was in tears upon being replaced by Rafinha.

Uruguay's first fixture at the Copa America Centenario goes June 5, when Los Charruas, placed in Group C, will take on Mexico at the University of Phoenix Stadium. Oscar Tabarez's side will then clash with Venezuela and Jamaica on June 9 and June 13, respectively.