Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been dealt a crushing setback following confirmation that Mohammed Salisu will miss the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.
AS Monaco revealed that the Black Stars centre-back ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the dying moments of their 3-1 Ligue 1 loss to Olympique Lyon. Subsequent medical assessments confirmed the worst fears, ruling the defender out for the remainder of the campaign.
The Principality club has assured supporters that Salisu will receive full backing throughout what is expected to be a long and demanding rehabilitation process.
The injury capped a frustrating night for Monaco, who not only lost ground in the battle for European qualification but were also hit by multiple fitness concerns. Salisu’s case, however, stood out as the most serious. The timing is particularly cruel, as the Ghanaian had recently cemented his place in the starting lineup amid the unavailability of Christian Mawissa and Eric Dier.
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Alarmingly for Monaco, Salisu’s injury marks the second ACL rupture suffered by the club in consecutive matches, following Takumi Minamino’s season-ending setback against AJ Auxerre shortly before the winter break.
From a Ghanaian perspective, the implications are deeply troubling. Salisu now faces months on the sidelines, casting doubt over his readiness for the 2026 World Cup.
The Black Stars have been drawn into a demanding group featuring England, Croatia and Panama, and the absence of an experienced defensive pillar could significantly weaken their chances of making a strong impression on the global stage.
As Ghana waits anxiously on Salisu’s recovery timeline, both club and country will be hoping the resilient defender can return stronger from yet another major career hurdle.
