Belgium have confirmed that Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, an injury described as "devastating" by the national team's medical staff.
Injury Details and Confirmation
Onana sustained the knee ligament injury during Belgium's World Cup last-16 victory against the United States. The 23-year-old was forced off midway through the first half of the 4-1 win, leaving the field on crutches and wearing a brace.
Belgium team doctor Brahim Hacene confirmed the severity of the injury after medical examinations. "Unfortunately, the medical examinations have confirmed that Amadou has suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament. This is devastating news, both for him personally and for the team," Hacene said.
Recovery and Support Plan
The medical team has already begun consultations with Onana and Aston Villa to determine the best course of action. "We immediately consulted with Amadou and with Aston Villa to agree on the best approach to his recovery. Over the coming days, we will jointly determine the next steps in his medical treatment and rehabilitation. Throughout this process, we will continue to provide Amadou with our full support," Hacene added.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia had earlier indicated the injury was serious, calling it the "one dark cloud" over the victory. "It's not good news for him as an individual or for us as a team," Garcia said. "I do have the feeling that he is out."
Impact and Compensation
Onana now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he recovers from the ACL rupture. Aston Villa are set to receive a multi-million pound compensation payout from FIFA under the Club Protection Programme, which covers players injured while on international duty. The exact amount will depend on Onana's wages and the expected recovery period, typically six to nine months for such injuries.
