Uruguay are still sweating on talismanic striker Luis Suarez’s fitness for the World Cup, but are otherwise in better shape than in South Africa four years ago when they reached the semi-finals, players said on Wednesday.
“Honestly, I think we are better. We have been together practically eight years, we have been through a lot,” midfielder Diego Godin told reporters at the Uruguay camp in a resort in rolling hills at Sete Lagoas near Belo Horizonte.
“We are ready for the good and the bad,” added the 28-year-old Atletico Madrid midfielder, one of about a dozen players with coach Oscar Tabarez since his second tenure began in 2006.
Uruguay famously upset hosts Brazil to win the 1950 World Cup, and again sprung a surprise in South Africa to reach the last four.
But their preparations for Brazil have been disrupted by Suarez’s injury to his left knee at the end of a scintillating Premier League season with Liverpool.
Suarez trained lightly this week at Sete Lagoas, smiling and joking with team mates, and said in a video via Twitter his knee was going “very well”.
But he is a doubt for at least the Group D opener against Costa Rica, a game Uruguay bank on winning before facing tougher rivals England and Italy.
“Luis is fine, he is on a good track (to recovery),” added Godin, himself recovering from the disappointment of Atletico Madrid’s Champions League final defeat by Real Madrid.
“I hope he can be there for the first game. This (injury) happened and he is doing the best he can to come back. I do not know if he will be on the pitch or on the bench or whatever.”