Defender Manchester United, Matthijs de Ligt, will miss the upcoming World Cup after having surgery for a back injury. This procedure will keep him out of action until the beginning of the 2026-27 season.
On Friday, De Ligt shared a photo on social media from his hospital bed giving a thumbs up, accompanied by the message: “After six months of treatment and hard work, surgery was the only option left.”
De Ligt expressed his disappointment, stating, “I’m upset I couldn’t assist the team over the last six months and, of course, missing the World Cup is hard. However, I am eager to do everything possible to return to play in front of our fans and feel better again.”
At 26 years old, De Ligt started the season strong, but his campaign turned sour after being injured in a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in late November.
He had recently begun individual training on grass as part of his rehabilitation, but Manchester United confirmed that he has now had a “corrective procedure,” effectively ending his season and World Cup hopes.
Reflecting on his journey, De Ligt stated, “Since November, I have dedicated myself to pushing through every session and exploring all options to return to what I love, playing football. I am thankful to everyone who has supported me through this challenging time in my career. I remain determined to represent Manchester United and play in front of our amazing supporters as soon as I can.”
Previously with Juventus and Bayern Munich, De Ligt joins another notable absence for the Netherlands as they prepare for the World Cup, following the serious knee injury of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Xavi Simons.
This report includes information from PA.