BUENOS AIRES.- The Argentine striker Joaquin Panichelliof the Strasbourg Racingsuffered a serious knee injury in training with the Albiceleste team and will be out for several months, meaning he will miss the North America World Cup 2026.
“The studies carried out today on forward Joaquín Panichelli confirmed the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. A lot of strength, Joaco! We are with you,” the Argentine national team announced on their social networks.
Panichelli, who had been called up at the last minute to the world champion team for the date FIFA of this month, he was injured on Thursday during practice for this Friday’s friendly against Mauritania.
The 23-year-old attacker, who stands out in the French league, had been called up to the Albiceleste for the first time a few months ago – in the friendly window last November – and made his debut in the world champion team in the 2-0 victory against Angola.
The ligament injury is very bad news for the young striker, who is left without a chance to fight for a place in the Argentine squad that will defend the title won in Qatar 2022 in the world cup they will host Canada, USA and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
Argentina integrates Group J of the 2026 World Cup, in which it will face Algeria, Austria and the debutante Jordan.
Second ligament tear
Panichelli had already suffered a torn cruciate ligament in 2023, but in his left knee, which forced him to take a seven-month layoff.
Born in Córdoba and with a past in the lower divisions of River PlatePanichelli was summoned by the coach Lionel Scaloni for his great campaign in the Ligue 1in which he has 16 goals and is being the figure of Strasbourg, after having been transferred in the middle of last year from Alavés Spanish for 16.5 million euros.
On Sunday he scored two goals on the hour to beat Nantes by 3-2. That left him alone at the top of the Ligue 1 scoring table.
Contacted by AFP, the Alsatian club said it expected the player’s return to France to verify “the exact nature of the injury.”
The injury comes at a difficult time for Strasbourg, which is qualified for the semi-finals of the French Cupwhere he will play against Niceand for the quarterfinals of the Conference Leaguewhere he will have as his adversary Mainz German.
In addition, Strasbourg is eighth in Ligue 1 and is fighting to qualify for next year’s European competitions.
Due to his good performance in France, Panichelli was not only called up to the Argentine national team, but also began to appear on the radar of several football clubs. Spain facing the next transfer market, in the European summer.
The loss of the Córdoba player leaves the door open for confirmation in the Albiceleste of José “Flaco” Lópezof the Palmeirasto join the list of forwards that make up Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Julian Alvarez (Atlético de Madrid) and Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan).
