Blow for Brazil as Alves ruled out of Copa America

The Valencia shot-stopper tore his anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in Saturday's 3-2 win at Almeria and must now go under the knife.Brazil have been rocked by the news that goalkeeper Diego Alves is to miss the Copa America through injury.The Valencia shot-stopper hobbled off during Saturday's 3-2 victory over former club Almeria, which earned Los Che a place in next season's Champions League, and it was confirmed less than 24 hours later that the 29-year-old had torn the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee.
Alves is now set to undergo surgery, meaning he will not be available for Brazil's Copa America campaign, which gets underway on June 15 with a game against Peru in Temuco.Valencia president Amadeo Salvo admitted that the Rio native's injury had taken the gloss of Valencia sealing a fourth-place finish in La Liga.We are pleased and happy with the win but also sad about Diego Alves' injury," the Che supremo told his club's official website.We have achieved the objective we set out for this season. The team have always wanted to go forward and we only lost five games this season.This is a team that deserves what they have achieved. Now we have to think ahead; we have a project that will be consolidated and will continue to progress.This is a success for everyone. But now the fans should celebrate and show support for Diego Alves.The Brazilian football federation (CBF) confirmed that Fiorentina's Neto will replace the Valencia goalkeeper in Dunga's Copa America squad.