Belgian midfielder Onana suffers serious knee injury in World Cup round of 16 win
Belgium's Amadou Onana reportedly tore his ACL during the round of 16 match against the USA, forcing him off early in the first half.
Amadou Onana, the 24-year-old Belgian midfielder, started in the round of 16 match against the United States on Thursday night, but was substituted in the 21st minute with the score at 1-0. Although the Belgian Football Federation has not yet issued an official statement, The Athletic reports that Onana has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.
During the World Cup group stage, Onana started against Egypt (1-1), was an unused substitute against Iran (0-0), and came off the bench against New Zealand (5-1) and Senegal (3-2 after extra time). Born in Senegal and raised in Belgium, the midfielder has earned 33 caps for the national team, scoring one goal.
Onana began his professional career in Germany. In 2021, he moved from Hoffenheim to Lille for €13.6 million. A year later, he joined Everton for €40 million, and in 2024, Aston Villa purchased him for €59 million. In the previous English Premier League season, he made 25 appearances and scored two goals. He also featured in the Europa League final, where Aston Villa defeated Freiburg 3-0, coming on as a substitute when the score was 2-0.
Belgium will face Spain in the quarter-finals on Friday evening. Onana is unlikely to be available for that match.
