Rudi Garcia fears the worst after Amadou Onana injury

The Belgian team celebrated their eighth consecutive World Cup knockout win in Seattle, but the mood darkened when Amadou Onana crumpled to the ground with a serious knee injury. The midfielder’s leg buckled under him during a routine duel, leaving him in visible agony on the pitch. He was unable to continue, ending his participation in the tournament. "He is enormously important to the group, both on and off the field. It hurt to see him suffer and leave us," said a teammate. "He’s a top guy. He spoke to us at halftime, sharpened us up again, and we wanted to win for him." Nicolas Raskin had earlier described Onana as "a true leader in the group." Youri Tielemans echoed the sentiment, stating: "We support him and hope he can stay with us. We want to fight to the end for him." Romelu Lukaku underlined the gravity of the situation by holding up Onana’s shirt after the 4-1 victory. The gesture spoke volumes about the seriousness of the injury.

Onana’s knee blow: Belgium’s fight goes on despite nine-month setback

Within the Belgian football federation, fears of a torn cruciate ligament and a lengthy rehabilitation are growing. Even if the damage is less severe, it appears Onana’s World Cup is over. "We don’t know yet what’s wrong, but unfortunately I think it’s serious," said head coach Rudi Garcia, delivering the latest update on the situation. The loss of Onana, a key figure in midfield, casts a long shadow over Belgium’s ambitions in the tournament. Within the Belgian delegation, there is deep concern over the potential long-term impact of the injury. Medical staff are conducting urgent assessments to determine the full extent of the damage. Belgium’s next match looms large, with the team now forced to regroup without one of their most influential players. The focus has shifted from celebration to survival. The incident in Seattle serves as a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football, even in moments of triumph.