Ghana and AS Monaco defender Mohammed Salisu is set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines after sustaining a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during Monaco’s Ligue 1 encounter with Olympique Lyonnais at the weekend.

The injury occurred in the closing moments of the match, with Salisu collapsing to the turf clutching his knee and receiving immediate medical attention. Further assessments later confirmed the seriousness of the issue, ruling the centre-back out for an extended period.

AS Monaco subsequently confirmed the diagnosis in an official statement and assured the player of the club’s full support throughout his recovery process.

“At the very end of the match against Olympique Lyonnais, our centre-back Mohammed Salisu suffered an injury to his left knee,” the statement read.
“Medical examinations revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The Club will support Mohammed throughout his recovery and is behind him all the way.”

An ACL injury typically requires a recovery period of around nine months, a timeline that is likely to rule Salisu out of Ghana’s World Cup plans. The setback represents a major blow for both club and country, with the 25-year-old having established himself as a key presence in Monaco’s defence and an important figure for the Black Stars.

Since making his international debut in 2022, the defender has scored four goals in 22 appearances for Ghana, underlining his value at both ends of the pitch.

Salisu’s injury also adds to a worrying trend for Ghanaian football, with several internationals having suffered ACL tears over the past year. Fatawu Issahaku, Tariq Lamptey, Alidu Seidu, Ernest Nuamah, Abdul Mumin and Baba Iddrisu have all faced similar setbacks, raising concerns about the impact of such injuries on the national team’s depth.

For Salisu, attention now shifts to surgery and rehabilitation, as he begins a long and demanding recovery process, determined to return to full fitness after a cruel and frustrating setback.