Monaco’s Japan attacking midfielder Takumi Minamino has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee, the Ligue 1 club announced on Monday, raising serious doubts over his ability to feature in the 2026 World Cup.
The former Liverpool player was injured on Sunday during Monaco’s 2-1 win in the French Cup match against Auxerre.
The 30-year-old was carried off the playing field with his face in his hands.
Minamino, who scored 26 goals in 73 appearances for Samurai Blue, is one of the key figures in coach Hajime Moriyasu’s side.
READ ALSO: PSG women hit by nine-point sanction from the French Football Association
Japan has been drawn in World Cup Group F alongside the Netherlands, Tunisia and a yet-to-be-determined winner of the European play-offs between Poland, Sweden, Ukraine and Albania.
The tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico runs from June 11 to July 19.
Published on December 22, 2025
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(736x286:738x288)/kata-hay-the-voice3-122225-ff89a99bffe445d7af6577ed1df7e099.jpg?w=238&resize=238,178&ssl=1 "Kata Hay, exalumna de The Voice, arrestada por orden de homicidio vehicular en Oklahoma")
