Valencia defender Diakhaby to undergo knee surgery after gruesome injury in La Liga
Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger, center, reacts after Valencia's Mouctar Diakhaby receives treatment after getting an injury during the La Liga soccer match between Valencia and Real Madrid at the Mestalla Stadium in Valencia, Spain, Saturday, March 2, 2024. Credit: AP/Jose Breton
MADRID — Valencia defender Mouctar Diakhaby will travel to France for surgery to repair his dislocated right knee, the Spanish club said on Tuesday.
Diakhaby sustained the gruesome injury on Saturday in the final minutes of the 2-2 draw against Real Madrid. He was carried off on a stretcher after Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni crashed into him inside the area.
Players from both teams immediately called for help and looked distraught after realizing the seriousness of the injury.
The 27-year-old Diakhaby showed up on crutches at the Valencia training center and visited with his teammates on Tuesday. He spent 48 hours under medical observation in a hospital.
Diakhaby said, “Unfortunately, injuries are a part of the game."
On social media, he added, “The battle will be long but I am ready for it and I will do everything possible to return to the field as soon as possible and even stronger.”
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