BY Issah Olegor
Black Stars defender Mohammed Salisu has begun an intensive rehabilitation programme following a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that has sidelined him from competitive football and cast uncertainty over his availability for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
AS Monaco confirmed last month that the 26-year-old centre-back suffered a tear to the ACL in his left knee during a French Ligue 1 clash against Olympique Lyonnais in January.
The injury, one of the most serious in professional football, required surgical intervention, which the club later confirmed was successful.
Salisu has now taken the first major steps in his recovery journey, returning to the gym in Monaco as he begins a structured rehabilitation process aimed at restoring strength, mobility, and match fitness.
While no official timeline has been given for his return to action, ACL injuries typically require several months of recovery, raising concerns over his readiness for major international tournaments later this year.
In a show of support and solidarity, Black Stars team doctor, Prince Pambo, paid a visit to Salisu in Monaco as part of the Ghana Football Association’s wider efforts to monitor and assist injured national team players abroad.
The visit underscores Salisu’s importance to the national team setup and the technical team’s interest in his progress.
Before the injury setback, Salisu had become a key figure in Ghana’s World Cup qualification campaign.
He featured in seven FIFA World Cup qualifying matches and contributed two goals from defence, underlining his growing influence both defensively and offensively for the Black Stars.
However, his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to kick off on June 11, now remains in serious doubt due to the nature and severity of the injury.
Medical experts often caution that returning too early from an ACL injury can risk long-term damage, making a cautious recovery plan crucial.
Ghana has been drawn in Group L for the tournament and will open their campaign against Panama, before facing England and Croatia in what promises to be a highly competitive group. Salisu’s absence, if confirmed, would represent a significant blow to the Black Stars’ defensive stability and experience.
At club level, AS Monaco are also expected to feel the impact of his absence, given his role as a regular starter and defensive leader.
The French side will have to adjust their defensive structure while he continues his rehabilitation.
For now, the focus remains firmly on Salisu’s recovery, with both club and country prioritising his long-term health over rushed returns, as he begins the difficult journey back to full fitness from one of football’s most challenging injuries.
