SouthernWorldwide.com – Belgium’s promising midfielder, Amadou Onana, has been ruled out for the remainder of the World Cup after sustaining a torn ACL in his right knee.
The injury occurred during the 19th minute of Belgium’s commanding 4-1 victory over the United States in the round of 16 clash on Monday.
Medical examinations, as confirmed by team doctor Brahim Hacene in a statement released by the Belgian soccer federation, revealed the severity of the injury. Onana has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his knee.
“This is devastating news,” Hacene stated, emphasizing the personal blow to the player and the impact on the team’s morale and strategy.
The 24-year-old Onana had featured in four matches for Belgium at the World Cup, making his second start of the tournament against the USA. His previous World Cup appearance was in 2022 in Qatar, where he notably scored a goal in a 5-2 win against the U.S. in a pre-tournament friendly match in March.
Hans Vanaken replaced Onana in the 21st minute of the match against the United States and went on to score one of Belgium’s four goals.
Onana has been a key player for Aston Villa in the Premier League since joining in 2024, having previously played for Everton.
The club and the national team are working in tandem to ensure the best course of action for his recovery. “We immediately consulted with Amadou and with Aston Villa to agree on the best approach to his recovery,” Hacene explained.
Further details regarding his medical treatment and rehabilitation plan will be determined in the coming days. The Belgian federation has pledged its unwavering support to Onana throughout his recovery process.
Despite this significant setback, Onana is expected to remain with the Red Devils squad. He will be present for their quarterfinal encounter against the 2010 champions, Spain, scheduled for Friday at Los Angeles Stadium.
The winner of that match will advance to the semifinals to face either France or Morocco.
According to the statement, there are no other significant injury concerns within Belgium’s roster.
Midfielder Jérémy Doku, who was a substitute in Monday’s game as he continues to manage his fitness, took part in Tuesday’s training session. Similarly, midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who did not play on Monday, also participated in training.
Reporting by the Associated Press.
