Iker Pajares Bernabeu Ruptures Achilles Tendon at 2026 European Squash Team Championships

UNSQUASHABLE player Iker Pajares Bernabeu suffered a devastating Achilles tendon rupture while representing Spain at the 2026 European Squash Team Championships, bringing a premature and painful end to what promised to be an outstanding victory over England No.1 Marwan ElShorbagy in Amsterdam.

The injury occurred during Spain’s quarter-final tie against England at the Frans Otten Stadion, in a match that Iker had been controlling impressively against World No.9 Marwan ElShorbagy. Displaying fluent movement and assured attacking play, the Spanish No.1 had taken the first two games 12-10 11-6 before disaster struck in the third game.

Lunging forward from the ‘T’ to retrieve a ball, Iker suddenly pulled up in visible distress. It was immediately apparent he could not continue. The 30-year-old left the court with assistance and was later taken to hospital, where a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon was confirmed - a cruel blow at a moment when he had been producing some of his best squash of his career.

The quarter-final incident contrasted sharply with Iker's earlier contribution during the Pool B qualifying stages, where he had been instrumental in Spain’s progress. In a demanding encounter against Belgium’s No.1 Maddox Moxham, Iker demonstrated remarkable composure and endurance to prevail 16-14 11-7 12-10 in a gruelling 62-minute battle. That victory typified his importance to the Spanish side - calm under pressure, tactically astute and physically resilient.

Iker has been one of Spain’s most consistent performers on the PSA World Squash Tour in recent seasons, and this setback represents a significant interruption at a time when his confidence and tactical maturity were clearly on display.

For Spain, it was a moment of collective shock. For Iker, it marked the abrupt end to a tournament in which he had once again shown his value for his country - only for misfortune to intervene at the cruellest possible moment.