Spanish striker Samu Aghehowa is the first confirmed absence for the Spanish national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The news comes after confirmation of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, suffered during a match with FC Porto.
The Portuguese club has announced that the player will undergo further medical evaluations to determine the full extent of the injury and his recovery time. However, this type of injury frequently requires a minimum of six months of rehabilitation.
The injury occurred last Monday, during the 1-1 draw against Sporting CP in the Portuguese League. Aghehowa, 21 years old, collapsed on the field showing clear signs of pain in the final minutes of the first half. Although he tried to return after receiving medical attention, he was substituted at halftime.
Trained in Spain, the forward played for Deportivo Alavés, on loan from Atlético de Madrid, before joining the Portuguese team. In his current season with Porto, Aghehowa has stood out with 20 goals, 13 of them in the league, leading the team’s attack.
This injury not only prevents him from finishing the season with Porto, but also sidelines him from the upcoming commitments of the Spanish national team led by Luis de la Fuente, including the Finalissima and the friendly scheduled for March in Qatar.
Furthermore, his recovery puts his participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, at risk.
The absence of Aghehowa represents a setback for the Spanish national team, which loses one of its most promising attackers at a crucial moment in the World Cup cycle.
