Senegalese star Sadio Mane will miss the upcoming World Cup, having undergone surgery following a knee injury sustained while playing for his club Bayern Munich.
Initially, the Senegalese Football Federation said on Tuesday that Mane, 30, would miss his “first matches” at the World Cup in Qatar.
But after another MRI on Thursday, it became clear Mane needed surgery.
Mane was forced off the pitch during Bayern Munich’s match against Werder Bremen on 8 November.
Bayern confirmed the player underwent “successful surgery” on Thursday to tie a tendon in his right leg.
“The forward will begin his rehabilitation in Monaco in the next few days,” the club added.
Senegal begin their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on Monday.
The Teranga Lions will play Group A against Qatar, host of the tournament on November 25, and Ecuador on November 29.
Mane, who has won the African Player of the Year award twice, is regarded as the Senegalese national team’s most visible player, having scored the penalty as the team won to become African champions for the first time in February, after beating Egypt on penalties in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Within two months, Mane repeated the feat, scoring the decisive penalty in a shoot-out as Senegal beat Egypt in a playoff match to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
Analysis: John Bennett – Doha
It would be heartbreaking for Mane a year later when it all seemed to be a dream come true for him internationally.
Thanks to his performances, which allowed Senegal to win the Africa Cup of Nations and qualify for the World Cup, together with his matches in the first half of the year for Liverpool, the Bayern Munich forward finished second for the Golden Ball.
And only Karim Benzema stood between him becoming the first African player since George Weah to win this award. Mane hoped to help Senegal reach at least the quarter-finals in Qatar.
Now, without their best players, it will be very difficult for Senegal to make an impact here in Qatar. The Senegal national team includes other fine players like Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Coulibaly and Ismaila Sarr, but Mane is their inspiration and game changer. It is a sad moment for Mane and for all of Senegal.
