Paris St-Germain and Morocco right-back Achraf Hakimi has been dominated out for “a number of weeks” with a severely sprained left ankle.
The damage to his captain will likely be a serious concern for Atlas Lions coach Walid Regragui forward of the beginning of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which is being held within the North African nation for the primary time since 1988.
The event kicks off in lower than seven weeks on 21 December.
The 27-year-old sustained the damage in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich within the Champions League, and he left the pitch in tears in first-half stoppage time after a rash problem from behind by Luis Diaz.
Former Liverpool ahead Diaz was subsequently despatched off following a evaluation by the Video Assistant Referee.
Hakimi was an important a part of the Morocco aspect which reached the semi-finals of the 2022 Fifa World Cup, and helped his nation qualify for the 2026 version with a 100% report.
He's on the 10-man shortlist for this 12 months's African Footballer of the Yr Award and is seen as one of many prime contenders for the distinguished trophy.
On Monday, he was additionally named on this 12 months's Fifpro World XI.
