Former Ghana midfielder Laryea Kingston has described the absence of Mohammed Salisu from the Black Stars setup as a major setback, following the defender’s season-ending injury that is expected to rule him out of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Salisu sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his left knee during AS Monaco’s weekend clash against Olympique Lyonnais. With ACL injuries typically requiring up to nine months of recovery, the setback effectively ends the 25-year-old’s chances of featuring at the World Cup later this year.
The injury comes as a huge blow for both Monaco and Ghana. Salisu has been a key presence in Monaco’s defence and one of the most reliable options at the heart of the Black Stars’ backline.
Since making his international debut in 2022, the centre-back has scored four goals in 22 appearances, underlining his value at both ends of the pitch.
Reacting to the news, Kingston highlighted Salisu’s importance and the challenge his absence presents for the national team.
“It’s a very big blow for us [Salisu’s ACL injury] because he [Salisu] is such an important figure at the back. When you talk about experienced players at our back line, I think he’s one of them and it’s going to be a very big blow for us.”
Kingston also used the moment to encourage the current crop of players to play with freedom and avoid putting themselves under unnecessary pressure as the World Cup approaches.
“My advice to the current players, they should just relax. They should focus. You have to play whether you like it or not. The more minutes you play, the more competitive you become, and the more your form picks up.”
Salisu’s injury adds to a worrying trend, with several Ghanaian internationals recently sidelined by ACL tears, raising concerns about depth and durability within the national team setup.
