BARCELONA, Spain - Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal underwent right knee surgery on Wednesday, five weeks before his countrys first match at the World Cup. The operation in Barcelona was led by specialist surgeon Ramon Cugat, and was accompanied by Chile and Juventus team doctors. The club, which won the Serie A on Sunday, said Vidal needed arthroscopic surgery on the lateral meniscus of his right knee. "We dont dare to say a recovery time because theres a World Cup in the making," Cugat after the surgery. "There are many factors at play here: He has to be in good form, in a good mood, and his knee has to respond well. But hes a very courageous player with a strong character, and hes always positive. Hes a winner." Vidal has been instrumental in helping Juventus to three successive Serie A titles since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in 2011. He was struggling with problems in his right knee for more than a month, but continued to play for Juventus until his injury worsened during the second leg of the Europa League semifinal against Benfica last Thursday. "The treatment that has been carried out is correct," Cugat said, fending off growing criticism in Europe and Chile about how Juventus managed his injury. "I can say that I have many players, at the international level, who have continued to play with a tear to the lateral meniscus." Since joining Juventus, Vidal has transformed impressively from being a stopper to making himself into a versatile player who recovers lost passes, sets up goals, and often scores. He has eight goals in 46 appearances for Chile, and become the national teams best hope in the World Cup. Chile has one of its strongest teams, but it faces huge challenges in Brazil. Chile is in a group with Spain, the Netherlands and Australia. Even if it advances as the groups second qualifier, it would likely have to play against host and five-time champion Brazil. But fans remain confident that Vidal will recover in time, and Chile will continue its solid record: It lost only two out of 15 games last year, including a draw with Spain and win over England in friendlies. Wholesale Pirates Jerseys . Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points, Shawn Marion had 22 and the Mavericks beat undermanned Philadelphia 124-112 Friday night, handing the 76ers their 10th straight loss. Custom Pittsburgh Pirates Jerseys . Right-hander Todd Redmond took the loss. Jose Bautista hit his second home run of the spring. Here are a handful of tidbits from around camp: Hutchison impressive The Blue Jays are being cautious when talking about their young arms but internally, excitement is building over the way Drew Hutchison is looking and performing this spring. https://www.cheappiratesjerseys.us/ . CSKA received the heavier punishment of playing its next European home game behind closed doors, after its supporters displayed racist and far-right symbols in the Czech Republic during a 2-1 loss to Viktoria Plzen on Dec. Fake Pirates Jerseys . Kelli Stack and Alex Carpenter also scored for the Americans, who avoided a repeat of Finlands upset at the Four Nations Cup in Lake Placid, N.Y., in November. Finnish goalie Noora Raty made 58 saves in that one, but the three-time Olympian could stop just 40 of 43 U. Pittsburgh Pirates Gear . The Toronto Maple Leafs were holding a news conference, so they got curious. It didnt take long for them to find out via social media that coach Randy Carlyle was coming back — with a two-year extension — and assistants Greg Cronin, Scott Gordon and Dave Farrish were being let go. "So two years ago I was playing defence in the University of Lethbridges University Rec League. This league is a bit different than most rec leagues though, a lot of ex-WHL guys play in the league. So the play is pretty quick. Anyway, I had a player who had played some junior hockey dangle me left right and centre all game long. After getting burnt 3 or 4 times I had enough and stepped into the guy, I dont know how it happened but he did some sort of front flip, kicking me in the head then cut my throat with his skate blade. This league is a non-contact league so I was called for a body contact penalty. While sitting in the sin bin the guy running the clock goes "man youre bleeding from your throat, get to the f**king hospital". I had no idea I was even cut because it turned out I was kind of concussed and the guy mustve just got his skaates sharpened.dddddddddddd The picture was taken in the dressing room by a buddy of mine. I dont know if I was in shock or what but I couldnt really feel it, so I figured I had enough time for a quick photo op. One of the bunnies in the stands drove me to the hospital and I received 23 stitches and a nice glue job. I cant remember how much blood I lost but I think it was near a litre.Thats the whole story," We salute you Curtis Kormos, you are a true rec league warrior. Our favourite part of his story is that he had enough of the guy who played Junior hockey trying to "dangle" around him, we all know that even the non contact leagues can be tough.If you have a crazy hockey story or want to share cool things with us, email us at BarDown@bellmedia.ca or Tweet us @BarDown ….please, no more gross stuff though. ' ' '