Joel Ordoñez suffered a foot injury that blocked his £25m transfer to Crystal Palace this summer, as reported by DHNet. The Ecuador defender had agreed to leave Club Brugge for a move to the Premier League, but the medical revealed a stress fracture caused by a blow sustained in May against Union Brugge. Despite the pain, Ordoñez continued playing and joined Ecuador’s preparation for the 2026 World Cup, where his discomfort worsened during matches against Ivory Coast and Germany. In the round of 16 clash, he was forced off at halftime after being unable to put weight on his foot, and Ecuador were eliminated shortly after. Ordoñez explained on Instagram that he tried to play through the pain, believing it was only a minor issue, but the effort made the injury worse. He has now been sidelined for months, using a cast and crutches, and estimates he will need several more months before returning to full fitness. Meanwhile, Brugge signed South Korean Han-Beom Lee from Midtjylland for £6m as his replacement. The Belgian club still expects to receive future compensation for Ordoñez, either in this winter window or the next summer one. His situation contrasts with the successful sales of other players like Nicolò Tresoldi and Romeo Vermant, whose exits were blocked by club decision. Ordoñez insists his priority was always to help Ecuador advance in the tournament, even if it meant playing injured. His absence is felt in Brugge’s defense, which now relies on new signings to maintain its level. The defender remains focused on his recovery, hoping to return to action before the season ends. His case highlights the risk players take when prioritizing national duty over short-term health. squad