Ankle Injury Keeps Manchester United's Robin Van Persie Away From Ballon D'Or Ceremony

An ankle injury will prevent Robin van Persie attending the FIFA Ballon d'Or awards, where he is up for best goal.

The Manchester United striker was replaced by Ander Herrera after an hour of Sunday's home defeat to Southampton.

Neither United nor van Persie have commented on the extent of the injury, but the 31-year-old will not now attend Monday night's ceremony in Zurich.

He tweeted: “On advice of the club medical staff I am unable to fly out to Zurich to attend the FIFA Ballon d'Or gala for my nomination for the Puskas award.

“I wish everybody there the best of luck and a great evening. I will be watching it from home and my good friend Ruud Gulliy will take the honours for me.”

The Puskas award is given for the best goal scored in the previous calendar year, and members of the public decide the winner from a shortlist of three.

Van Persie is nominated for his diving header in Holland's 5-1 World Cup win against Spain and faces competition from Colombia's James Rodriguez and Ireland women's international Stephanie Roche.

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