Bruno Fernandes, Cody Gakpo and Patrick Dorgu have become the latest high-profile players to suffer injury problems during the extended Nations League window, adding to a growing list of concerns for clubs across Europe.
Manchester United captain Fernandes missed Portugal’s match against Norway on Sunday after aggravating an issue he was already carrying from club duty. The midfielder had featured in Portugal’s win over Wales on Thursday despite discomfort, but was left out of the squad for the following fixture.
Portugal coach Jorge Jesus said Fernandes had arrived with the problem from Manchester United and had pushed himself to play against Wales despite not being fully fit.
United were dealt another concern when Dorgu was forced off during Denmark’s 2-0 victory over Wales. The defender lasted only 30 minutes before leaving the pitch with an apparent injury.
Gakpo Set for Scan After Netherlands Win
Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo also failed to complete his country’s latest fixture, leaving the Netherlands’ 2-1 win over Serbia after just 17 minutes.
Gakpo appeared to be in significant discomfort and was holding the lower part of his right leg as he came off. Netherlands coach Xavi Hernández later confirmed the issue involved the ankle and said the forward would undergo a scan on Monday to determine the extent of the injury.
The timing is particularly unwelcome for Liverpool, with Gakpo having made a strong start to the 2026-27 campaign. He has recorded two goals and four assists in six appearances in all competitions.
Liverpool are already monitoring Alexander Isak, who withdrew from Sweden’s squad with a minor thigh problem. Isak had played the full match and scored in Sweden’s 2-1 Nations League victory over Romania on Friday, but will miss the remaining international fixtures and return to his club for medical assessment.
Havertz, Brobbey and Ballard Also Sidelined
The current international window has already produced several other injuries involving Premier League players.
Arsenal forward Kai Havertz was forced off during Germany’s draw with the Netherlands after taking a high boot to the knee from Quinten Timber in Amsterdam.
In the same match, Sunderland striker Brian Brobbey appeared to suffer a muscle problem. His injury came shortly after a hat-trick for Sunderland in their 5-3 Premier League defeat by Manchester City.
Sunderland were then hit by another setback when defender Dan Ballard suffered a hamstring injury late in Northern Ireland’s 1-0 win over Georgia. Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill has confirmed Ballard will miss the rest of the international window.
Mbappe and Musiala Add to Wider Injury List
The impact has extended beyond Premier League clubs.
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe is expected to miss at least two weeks after suffering a knee injury while scoring France’s winner against Turkey in Zinedine Zidane’s first match as national-team coach.
Mbappe scored his 67th international goal from a Michael Olise assist before showing signs of discomfort. He was substituted five minutes later.
Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala was another casualty after suffering a muscle injury during the warm-up before Germany’s match against the Netherlands and withdrawing before kick-off.
The injury problems have emerged during an unusually long international period. The first break of the 2026-27 men’s season spans three weeks across late September and early October, with teams playing four international matches instead of the usual two after the traditional October window was removed from the calendar.
For several leading European clubs, the expanded schedule is already creating fresh uncertainty ahead of the return of domestic competition.