Spain suffer major injury blow as young forward set to miss the World Cup

FC Porto has been dealt a crushing blow that ripples far beyond the Portuguese border, reaching the heart of the Spanish National Team. Following rigorous medical testing over the last 24 hours, the "Dragões" have confirmed the worst-case scenario: Samu has suffered a severe knee injury that will sideline him for the foreseeable future.

The Spanish striker was injured during Monday’s high-stakes Clássico against Sporting CP. In a display of pure grit, Samu attempted to stay on his feet until the end of the first half, but the pain became unbearable. Shortly after the restart, he was forced to concede, alerting the medical staff that this was no ordinary knock.

After initial evaluations, FC Porto released a formal statement that has cast a shadow over the player's season.

"Samu, who was substituted at halftime in the match against Sporting, has suffered a sprain in his right knee involving an ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injury."

The club added that the 21-year-old remains under constant observation. In the coming days, he will undergo further specialized tests to determine the exact timeline for surgery and the subsequent rehabilitation process. In the world of modern football, an ACL tear typically carries a recovery window of seven to nine months, effectively ending his current campaign.

This injury couldn't have come at a worse time. Samu was arguably the most in-form striker in Portugal, boasting a clinical tally of 13 goals in 20 matches. He was on track to smash his personal best of 19 goals from the previous season.

His explosive form had made him a lock for Luis de la Fuente’s plans. The Spanish head coach had reportedly viewed Samu as a "game-changer" for the final roster of the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted in the USA, Mexico, and Canada this summer.

Samu had already earned four caps for the senior Spanish side, integrating seamlessly into the World Cup cycle. He was a standout performer during the Nations League Final Four against France in June and played a vital role in crucial qualifiers against Bulgaria and Turkey.

With the World Cup kicking off in just a few months, this injury effectively crosses his name off the list for La Roja. It is a devastating personal and professional setback for a player who was destined to be one of the faces of the tournament in North America.

The final confirmation on Tuesday has forced both club and country to scramble for alternatives. Porto loses its most reliable goalscorer, while Spain loses a unique physical profile in the final third. For now, the focus shifts entirely to Samu’s recovery. The road back from an ACL injury is long and grueling, but the footballing world remains hopeful that one of Spain's brightest talents can return to the elite level.