Luis Ángel Malagón, goalkeeper for América and the Mexican national soccer team, was injured on Tuesday in his team’s 1-0 win over Philadelphia Union in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, putting his participation in the 2026 World Cup in doubt.
“With regard to Luis Ángel Malagón leaving the field due to injury, Club América informs that our goalkeeper will undergo the necessary studies in Mexico to determine his medical situation,” the team explained in a statement.
Suffers serious injury in América game
Malagon’s injury, which is feared to be a ruptured Achilles tendon, occurred late in the first half of the first leg of the round of 16 match.
The Eagles defeated the Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer.
It happened in a non-contact play, in which the goalkeeper was preparing to make a clearance from his own penalty area.
But when he tried to hit the ball with his right foot, his left leg buckled.
Malagón fell to the grass and immediately put his hand to his ankle, writhing in pain.
The goalkeeper was immediately taken to the locker room.
Despite his low level in recent months, Malagon was emerging as the favorite of coach Javier ‘Vasco’ Aguirre to be Mexico’s starter in the 2026 World Cup.
That starts next June 11, over Raúl Rangel, Guadalajara’s goalkeeper.
Injuries hit El Tri
It happened during a non-contact play
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Malagon’s absence extends the injury epidemic of the Tri’s star players, which has complicated the final roster that ‘El Vasco’ will put together for the 2026 World Cup.
Among those with injuries are Edson Álvarez, of Turkey’s Fenerbahce, who underwent ankle surgery.
Luis Chávez, from Dinamo Moscow, who is recovering from a torn ligament.
Rodrigo Huescas of Copenhagen, Denmark, also with torn ligaments.
Santiago Giménez, who has just returned to training with Milan, and Tijuana’s youthful gem Gilberto Mora, who is suffering from pubalgia.
Also recovering are Alexis Vega of Toluca and César Huerta of Belgian club Anderlecht.
With information from EFE
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