Barcelona prodigy Sama Nomoko will be absent from play for a full year following knee surgery earlier this week, as confirmed by the Catalan club.
The 17-year-old forward suffered a torn ligament in his right knee during last week’s UEFA Youth League match against Eintracht Frankfurt, along with a related meniscus injury.
After the operation on Tuesday, Barça announced on Wednesday that his recovery timeline is anticipated to be “around 12 months.”
Nomoko has been with Barça since he was eight, joining the club in 2016 and progressing through the ranks to the B team in the fourth tier of Spanish football this past summer.
He quickly established himself as a key contributor under coach Juliano Belletti, netting two goals and providing four assists in 14 appearances this season, despite being one of the squad’s youngest members.
Additionally, he played in four matches for the U19s in the Youth League, aiding Barça’s advancement to the knockout stages of the esteemed youth tournament.
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Originally from Mali, Nomoko relocated to Catalonia as a child and represents Spain at the youth international level.
Barça have high expectations for him, given his exceptional speed, one-on-one abilities, and versatility across both wings.