"MONACO -- Japan midfielder Takumi Minamino has torn the ACL in his left knee while playing for AS Monaco and will almost certainly miss the World Cup. Minamino was injured in a French Cup game on Sunday against Auxerre and "medical examinations revealed a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament," Monaco posted on social media on Monday. Players typically need up to nine months to return from an ACL injury."
"Japan opens World Cup play on June 14 against the Netherlands in the Dallas Cowboys' stadium at Arlington, Texas. Japan also plays Tunisia and a European playoff winner which could be Poland or Ukraine. Minamino, who turns 31 next month, scored four goals as Japan was among the first teams to qualify for the 2026 tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico."
Takumi Minamino suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while playing for AS Monaco in a French Cup match against Auxerre. Medical examinations confirmed the ACL rupture, and players typically need up to nine months to return from such an injury. Minamino will almost certainly miss Japan's World Cup campaign beginning June 14 against the Netherlands and subsequent group matches. He will also miss Monaco's upcoming Champions League fixtures in January at Real Madrid and hosting Juventus. Minamino has made 73 appearances for Japan and scored 26 goals.
Read at ESPN.com
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