Porto striker Samu Aghehowa has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury, a setback that is set to keep the former Chelsea target out of the 2026 World Cup with Spain.
The injury occurred during FC Porto’s match in the Primeira Liga meeting with Sporting CP on February 9, when the 21-year-old damaged his right knee in the first half. Aghehowa initially attempted to continue but was withdrawn before the interval and later underwent medical tests that confirmed an ACL rupture.
The Portuguese club confirmed the injury shortly after the match, with recent reports ruling the striker unavailable for the remainder of the 2025–26 campaign.
Aghehowa had enjoyed a productive run in Portugal before this setback. This season, he scored 20 goals in 32 appearances across all competitions, including 13 goals in the league, placing him among Porto’s leading scorers.
The striker moved to the Estadio do Dragao after a proposed transfer to Chelsea collapsed in the summer of 2024. Porto secured a deal that saw them acquire 50% of his sporting rights, with a long-term contract running until 2029.
At the international level, the injury also closes the door on a likely World Cup call. The Spain international had been part of Luis de la Fuente’s plans following his senior debut in late 2024.
He has made four appearances for the national side and was viewed as an option in the central striking role ahead of the tournament scheduled for the United States, Canada and Mexico.
