Leeds United’s forward Wilfried Gnonto faced a worrying moment on international duty with Italy’s Under 21s after suffering a painful injury.
Gnonto, who captained his side in their match against San Marino U21s, was forced off at half-time after a rough challenge that left him screaming in pain.
The 20-year-old winger was on the receiving end of a poor tackle, where the opposing defender appeared to step on his Achilles, leaving Gnonto unable to continue.
Footage shared on social media showed the Leeds star in agony, with the incident occurring just after he had passed the ball.
Despite trying to shake off the pain, Gnonto had to be substituted, raising concerns over his fitness ahead of Leeds United’s upcoming fixtures.
The injury scare couldn’t have come at a worse time, as Gnonto is expected to play a crucial role in Daniel Farke’s plans this season.
Leeds’ Concerns Over Key Player’s Fitness
Daniel Farke and Leeds United will be anxiously awaiting updates on Gnonto’s condition, as the young forward is seen as one of the club’s key players this season.
With Leeds aiming for promotion back to the Premier League, having Gnonto fit and firing is crucial for the club’s chances.
The Italian winger is one of the few major forwards who stayed at the club beyond the transfer window, making his availability even more important.
Leeds fans were left frustrated seeing Gnonto pick up an injury from a challenge that came after the ball was already played.
The Whites’ supporters know how important he is to the team, and seeing him in pain during an international game only adds to the worry.
Hope for a Quick Recovery
While the injury looked concerning, there is hope that Gnonto’s early substitution might have given him the chance to recover quickly.
Italy U21s face Norway next Tuesday, and it remains to be seen if Gnonto will be fit enough to feature.
Leeds will be keeping their fingers crossed that the winger’s injury is not serious and that he can bounce back swiftly.
The sight of Gnonto screaming in pain was distressing, and it’s clear how much he means to both club and country.
If Gnonto can recover quickly, it will be a massive relief for Leeds United, who are counting on his talent to help drive their promotion push this season.
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