Folarin Balogun already missed two months of AS Monaco’s season due to a dislocated shoulder and will now be sidelined yet again.
Balogun is set to undergo shoulder surgery, Monaco manager Adi Hutter confirmed to reporters at the Emirates Stadium tonight. The U.S. men’s national team forward was slated to make a return to his former club Arsenal in UEFA Champions League play, but was forced to withdraw from the squad on Tuesday.
“The decision is that Balo is going for a surgery with his shoulder and we don’t know exactly how long is the duration,” said Hutter. “But it’s a pity for him and a pity for us.”
Balogun missed most of October and November due to his shoulder injury which was suffered in Ligue 1 action. He scored in three-consecutive club appearances but missed the last two international windows following his injury.
Hutter did not confirm how long Balogun will miss due to his surgery, but it seems likely that he won’t play again until 2025.
The USMNT have missed Balogun’s attacking abilities under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino, but PSV striker Ricardo Pepi has filled the void in his absence.
Monaco suffered a 3-0 league phase loss to the Gunners tonight and will continue Ligue 1 action this weekend at Stade Reims.
I’m having shoulder surgery on Tuesday.
Best of luck to you. Wishing you a speedy recovery!!
A shame. Dislocated shoulders come in two levels. Many are solved with putting the shoulder back in place and then resting for a couple of weeks. Then there are those that require surgery. You usually only see that when the injury is from American football.
The delay is definitely frustrating, but getting the surgery may be a blessing in disguise and address the issue for good. Oftentimes, shoulder dislocations that resolve themselves become a chronic issue with greater vulnerability, repeated dislocations with minor collisions.