
Spoelstra: No need to penalize Ball any further
Erik Spoelstra supports no further penalties for LaMelo Ball after flagrant foul.
French forward Hugo Ekitike is ruled out for the 2026 World Cup due to a serious injury. He will miss the rest of the season after sustaining the injury during a Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.
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⚠️ Serious injury rules France star out of the 2026 World Cup 🇫🇷
A major blow for France!
Liverpool officially announced this Thursday (16) that French forward Hugo Ekitike has suffered a serious injury and will be out for the rest of the season.
The incident that caused the injury occurred last Tuesday (14), in the elimination against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Still in the first half of the match played at Anfield, Ekitike slipped on the pitch by himself and had to be substituted immediately.
After detailed medical examinations, the Reds' medical department confirmed the worst-case scenario: a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Given the severity of the diagnosis and the long recovery time required, the player has also officially been ruled out of the 2026 World Cup.
In its statement, Liverpool stressed that it will provide further updates on the player's next clinical steps, such as a likely surgery, at the appropriate time.
The club also emphasized that the French forward will receive all the support he needs during his rehabilitation process.
"Liverpool FC can confirm that Hugo Ekitike has suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury.
The forward had to be substituted during the first half of Tuesday's Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield after slipping on the pitch.
Scans carried out afterward confirmed a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Ekitike will therefore be sidelined for the remainder of the club season and will be unable to take part in this summer's World Cup with France.
Further updates will be provided at the appropriate time, with Hugo receiving the full support of everyone at LFC."
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.
Hugo Ekitike suffered a serious injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season.
Ekitike's absence is a significant blow to France's squad, potentially impacting their performance in the 2026 World Cup.
Ekitike sustained his injury on Tuesday, April 14, during a Champions League quarter-final elimination against Paris Saint-Germain.

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