Takumi Minamino suffers ACL blow, set to miss season and may miss World Cup | OneFootball

Takumi Minamino has sustained a left anterior cruciate ligament injury and is unlikely to play again this season for Monaco. The club do not intend to recruit a replacement despite the setback.

According to L'Équipe, tests on Monday in the Principality confirmed the ACL rupture after he was hurt in Sunday's 2-1 Coupe de France win at Auxerre. As a result, he could also miss the World Cup with Japan.

Minamino went off in tears on a stretcher in the 36th minute, having twisted his knee moments earlier in a challenge with Fredrik Oppegard. He immediately clutched the joint and was unable to continue.

The midfielder is one of his national team's leaders, having captained Japan in three consecutive matches between October and November last year. For Monaco this season he has played 21 of 23 games, starting 16, with four goals and three assists.

Monaco's recruitment plan remains unchanged, sell before buying, and any additions still hinge on balancing the books. The targeted roles remain a centre-back, a central midfielder and a versatile forward.

Source: L'Équipe