Former Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino is now facing doubts over his involvement for Japan at the World Cup after a crushing injury blow to Wataru Endo‘s teammate.
Minamino has been a key player for Monaco since his £15.5 million move from Liverpool in 2022, as well as a consistent starter for Hajime Moriyasu’s Japan.
But he is now expected to miss the remainder of the season and likely the 2026 World Cup after suffering an ACL injury on Sunday.
The 30-year-old was stretchered off 36 minutes into Monaco’s 2-1 win over Auxerre in the Coupe de France and his club have now confirmed the extent of the damage.
Takumi Minamino Injury Update
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The diagnosis: Monaco have confirmed an ACL rupture for Takumi Minamino following his early withdrawal against Auxerre on Sunday.
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Recovery period: The former Liverpool forward is expected to be sidelined for six to nine months, ending his domestic season.
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World Cup threat: The timing poses a major threat to his involvement in the 2026 World Cup, which is a significant blow to Wataru Endo‘s Japan.
Minamino is now expected to miss six to nine months of action, which will rule him out of the rest of Monaco’s campaign and, if his recovery is at the longer end of the scale, also Japan’s involvement at the World Cup.
It will be a major blow to Japan, with Minamino starting nine of their 14 qualifiers and scoring four goals along the way.
Wataru Endo, Japan. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He has started five of their last six games – all friendlies – and captained his country in three of those, netting in a famous 3-2 victory over Brazil as well as in a 2-0 win over Ghana in November.
His absence will also be a loss for Endo, who is still Japan captain and, despite losing his place in recent games, will almost certainly play a key role in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Takumi Minamino: Club Career Breakdown
Club Apps Goals Assists Mins Per Goal
Liverpool (2020-22) 55 14 3 160′
AS Monaco (2022-25) 120 23 18 332′
Total Career 467 120 72 236′
Endo and Minamino have played together on 50 occasions, winning 37 of those, and they are among the most experienced players in Moriyasu’s regular squad.
Japan will play the Netherlands, Tunisia and one of Ukraine, Sweden, Poland or Albania in Group F of the World Cup.
It will be their seventh consecutive appearance at the tournament – and their seventh in history – with their best achievement so far being a place in the last 16 on four occasions including in 2022.