Panama is set to begin its journey in yet another international tournament, this time in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, where it shares Group C with Guadeloupe, Guatemala, and Jamaica. While fans are eager to see another strong run, one of the most talked-about absences from the squad is that of Adalberto Carrasquilla.
Los Canaleros are enjoying one of the most successful stretches in their national team’s history, with Spanish head coach Thomas Christiansen largely credited for the turnaround. A defining moment came earlier this year when Panama defeated the USMNT in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals, advancing to the final for the first time in history.
That momentum has carried over into World Cup qualifying, where Panama currently leads Group D of the second round after convincing victories over Belize (2-0) and Nicaragua (3-0). But as the Gold Cup presents the next major challenge, Carrasquilla’s absence remains a major talking point among supporters.
What happened to Adalberto Carrasquilla?
Adalberto Carrasquilla was left off Panama’s roster for the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup as he continues to recover from injury. While playing for Pumas UNAM, the midfielder sustained a muscle injury in his left leg, leading the coaching staff to ultimately decide against including him for the tournament.
Carrasquilla initially picked up the injury on May 4 during a Liga MX Play-In match against Monterrey, which ruled him out for the remainder of Pumas’ season. The injury also kept him sidelined for Panama’s World Cup qualifiers earlier this month against Belize and Nicaragua.
As team captain, Carrasquilla was given every chance to recover. He joined the squad during the international break and trained separately, but was unable to fully heal in time. As a result, he did not travel with the team for either match, and the Panamanian Football Federation (FPF) confirmed his absence was a medical precaution.
Carrasquilla’s absence is especially significant given his pivotal role in Christiansen’s system. The midfielder has been one of Panama’s most consistent performers in recent years, starring in both the last Gold Cup and the recent Nations League campaign where Panama finished as runner-up.
