World Cup Blow for Japan as Takumi Minamino Suffers Season-Ending Knee Injury

Japan’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup have been dealt a major setback after Takumi Minamino suffered a serious knee injury while playing for AS Monaco. The midfielder tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a French Cup match, an injury that is expected to rule him out for several months.

Given the typical recovery timeline for an ACL rupture, Minamino is highly unlikely to return in time for the World Cup, which begins in mid-June. The timing leaves Japan facing the tournament without one of its most experienced and productive attacking players.

The 30-year-old has been a key figure in Japan’s recent success, contributing important goals during qualification as the national team secured its place in the 2026 tournament at an early stage. His absence represents not only a loss of quality on the field but also a reduction in leadership within the squad.

Minamino’s injury also impacts AS Monaco’s campaign on multiple fronts. He will miss the remainder of the club’s Champions League schedule, including high-profile fixtures against Real Madrid and Juventus, at a time when Monaco are struggling to climb the standings in Europe.

Beyond the continental stage, Monaco continue to fight for consistency in domestic competition, sitting in the upper half of Ligue 1. For both club and country, Minamino’s injury marks a challenging period, with recovery and long-term fitness now becoming the primary focus for one of Japan’s most accomplished international players.

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