Riga FC have received difficult news regarding Costa Rican striker Anthony Contreras, who is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of six months after suffering a knee injury.
The injury occurred in the opening round of the Virslīga season against FK Liepāja. In the 60th minute, Contreras collided with Liepāja player Fellipe Vieira and injured his knee. After receiving medical attention, the striker briefly returned to the field but was ultimately unable to continue and had to be substituted.
Following Riga FC’s 4-2 victory over BFC Daugavpils, head coach Adrián Guľa confirmed that Contreras will face a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to the knee injury.
During the match against Daugavpils, Contreras’ fellow Costa Rican teammate Orlando Galo, who scored Riga’s second goal, celebrated by holding up Contreras’ Riga FC shirt in support of his injured teammate.
The 26-year-old forward, who has represented Riga FC since summer 2023, has made 82 appearances for the club and scored 36 goals.
Last season was his most productive campaign during Riga’s championship-winning year, when he scored nine goals and provided two assists in 34 Virslīga matches.
Contreras has also earned 31 caps for the Costa Rica national team, scoring four goals. He was part of Costa Rica’s squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, appearing in all three group-stage matches.
