Wolfsburg’s Junior Malanda Ruled Out for the Season with Serious Knee Injury
Belgian midfielder Junior Malanda will miss the remainder of the Bundesliga season after sustaining a significant knee injury during Wolfsburg’s German Cup semi-final clash with Borussia Dortmund. The 19-year-old, who had quickly established himself as a key figure in the Wolfsburg midfield, suffered a torn medial ligament along with a sprained cruciate ligament in the 2–0 defeat.
The injury comes as a major setback for both Malanda and the club. Since joining from Belgian side Zulte Waregem in January, the midfielder of Congolese descent had impressed with his maturity, physical presence, and rapid adaptation to the demands of German football.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect things to move this quickly,” Malanda told Het Nieuwsblad. “The level between Belgium and Germany is very different, and I thought I’d need more time to adjust. But I settled in quickly and was able to play alongside Luiz Gustavo, which helped me a lot.”
Despite his early-season momentum, the teenager now faces a long road to recovery. “This is my first major injury since the start of my career, and injuries like this always set you back,” he acknowledged. “Still, I have no regrets. Choosing to leave Zulte Waregem in January was the right decision.”
Malanda’s composure, energy, and versatility had made him one of the most promising young talents in the Bundesliga. His injury is not only a personal disappointment but also a blow for Wolfsburg, who had found in him a dynamic midfield presence.
The club has yet to confirm the expected duration of his absence, but with ligament injuries typically requiring months of rehabilitation, Malanda will almost certainly focus now on returning fully fit for the next campaign.
As Wolfsburg continues their push in domestic competition without one of their rising stars, all eyes will be on Malanda’s recovery — with hopes high that the promising Belgian will return stronger next season.
