MADRID, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Spain forward Samu Aghehowa is set to miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup after injuring his cruciate ligament while playing for Porto against Sporting CP at the weekend.

FC Porto's Spanish forward #09 Samu Aghehowa eyes the ball for a control during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group A football match between US Inter Miami and Portugal's FC Porto at the Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta on June 19, 2025. (File photo: AFP)

"Samu suffered a twisted right knee that has damaged the anterior cruciate ligament," the Portuguese club said on its website on Tuesday.

The injury will keep the 21-year-old out of action for several months, which means the forward, who has 13 goals in 20 league games this season, will not be fit in time for this summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Samu has four appearances for Spain and played in the country's most recent match against Turkiye in November.