France’s hopes for Euro 2024 have been dealt a significant blow as defender Lucas Hernandez is expected to sit out the tournament after suffering a knee injury during PSG’s Champions League semi-final clash against Dortmund.
The 28-year-old was forced off the pitch in the 42nd minute of PSG’s 1-0 loss to Dortmund, with subsequent MRI scans confirming a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.
While PSG has announced that Hernandez will undergo surgery “in the next few days,” the club has not provided a specific timeline for his recovery. Typically, players with ACL injuries face a rehabilitation period of six to eight months, with potential for longer recovery times in certain cases.
Hernandez, a crucial figure in France’s defence, played a pivotal role in their World Cup triumph in 2018 and has earned 37 caps for Les Bleus.
However, this injury setback marks the second time he has suffered an ACL injury, having also missed out on the latter stages of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after a similar setback during the group stage match against Australia.
With the 2024 European Championship set to kick off on Friday, 14 June in Germany, France will likely have to navigate the tournament without the services of their experienced defender.