The Netherlands’ former Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart will miss the World Cup due to a calf injury.
The British Press has confirmed that the Netherlands captain suffered the blow during a training session with the national team. It is expected that PSV Eindhoven midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum will be named in van der Vaart’s place.
Van der Vaart has more than 100 caps for the Oranje and played in the 2010 final against Spain.
The 31-year-old spent two years at Santiago Bernabeu, joining from Hamburg before moving to Tottenham Hotspur.
He has since returned to Hamburg and helped the club avoid relegation from the Bundesliga this season.
Van der Vaart played 73 times for Los Blancos, scoring 12 goals and twice finishing as runner-up in La Liga.
The Netherlands are Spain’s first opposition in Brazil, with Chile and Australia rounding out Group B.
