Nigerian-Born Striker Samu Aghehowa Suffers ACL Injury Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Porto and Spain forward Samu Aghehowa has suffered a serious knee injury that is expected to sideline him for several months, dealing a major blow to his hopes of playing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 21-year-old striker, who is of Nigerian descent, tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during Porto’s Primeira Liga clash against Sporting CP. He was forced off at halftime, and subsequent medical examinations confirmed the severity of the injury.
An ACL tear is one of the most serious injuries in football, with recovery typically ranging from five months to over a year. The setback is likely to rule Aghehowa out for the remainder of the 2025–26 season.
The injury comes at a time when the striker had been enjoying an impressive campaign, scoring 20 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions. Porto currently sits four points clear at the top of the league table and has advanced to the Europa League knockout stage.
Aghehowa’s absence is also expected to impact Spain’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which kicks off on June 11. Spain has been drawn in Group H alongside Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay.
Since making his senior debut for Spain in November 2024, Aghehowa has earned four caps and started a World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria in October. His rapid development followed a move from Atletico Madrid to Porto in 2024 after a failed transfer to Chelsea, with Newcastle United reportedly monitoring him last summer.
With the young forward sidelined, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente may turn to options such as Mikel Oyarzabal, Alvaro Morata, Borja Iglesias, and Jorge de Frutos as the team continues its build-up to the tournament
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