SOCCER: Japan's Minamino ruptures ACL, World Cup campaign in doubt

Japan international Takumi Minamino’s participation in next year’s World Cup is in doubt after his club, AS Monaco, confirmed that the midfielder ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.

The 30-year-old sustained the injury during Monaco’s 2-1 victory over Auxerre in the French Cup on Sunday.

“Our midfielder Takumi Minamino suffered an injury to his left knee,” Monaco said in a statement on Monday. “Medical examinations revealed a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament.”

ACL injuries typically sideline players for six to nine months, making it unlikely that Minamino will recover in time for the World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

Japan have been drawn into Group F, where they will face the Netherlands, Tunisia, and a playoff winner. The Samurai Blue are scheduled to open their campaign on June 14 against the Netherlands in Dallas.

Minamino’s injury is a major setback for Japan. The former Liverpool player has earned 73 international caps and scored 26 goals for his country.

His absence also deals a blow to Monaco, who are currently ninth in Ligue 1 and are set to face Spain’s Real Madrid and Italy’s Juventus in the Champions League group stage next month.

-Reporting by Aadi Nair in Nashik, India; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman/Reuters