Belgium, Aston Villa star Amadou Onana out of World Cup, sidelined in long term with major injury

Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana has been ruled retired of the World Cup with a superior genu injury.

The Aston Villa prima had been handed a commencement successful Belgium's last-16 showdown with the USA connected Monday, a crippled which his federation won by a 4-1 scoreline.

However, the 24-year-old needed to beryllium withdrawn astatine the midway constituent of the archetypal fractional successful Seattle.

Onana was aboriginal seen connected crutches, portion teammate Romelu Lukaku held up the player's garment successful enactment erstwhile putting Belgium 4-1 up successful added-on time.

According to The Athletic, it has already been determined that Onana has suffered an ACL injury.

Major stroke for Onana, Emery, Aston Villa

The anticipation is that Onana volition present walk betwixt six and 9 months connected the sidelines.

As a cardinal subordinate nether Unai Emery, it is simply a large stroke for the West Midlands outfit, with the study adding that Villa had nary plans to marque a large midfield summation during the summertime transportation window.

That is present expected to change, with chap prima antheral Boubacar Kamara having already been sidelined for six months with his ain superior genu injury.

Onana has made a full of 57 starts and 15 substitute outings for Villa since his £50m transportation from Everton successful 2024.

How volition Belgium grip Onana injury?

Hans Vanaken was introduced arsenic Onana's replacement successful the archetypal fractional against USA and volition anticipation to present deputise versus Spain successful the quarter-finals.

The 33-year-old contributed a extremity and an assistance versus the Stars and Stripes, yet overmuch whitethorn beryllium connected however Rudi Garcia chooses to enactment up versus the European champions.

Axel Witsel and Kevin De Bruyne are alternatives to Vanaken, portion Youri Tielemans could driblet into a deeper midfield role.