Ismaïla Sarr triggered major concern within Senegal’s camp after he appeared on crutches following Crystal Palace’s defeat to Manchester United, only weeks before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The winger picked up the injury early in Palace’s 2–1 loss on Sunday.
He tried to continue after the initial challenge but struggled visibly and signalled to the bench before leaving the pitch in the thirty-eighth minute.
Fans filmed Sarr leaving the stadium on crutches, a sight that immediately heightened anxiety for both Crystal Palace and the Senegal national team.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner addressed the situation in his post match press conference and confirmed the seriousness of the issue.
The manager explained that Sarr will miss several matches and highlighted the extent of the swelling around the player’s ankle.
Glasner chose his words carefully when discussing the recovery timeline.
He admitted that Sarr’s return could come after the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on 21 December.
He noted that the medical team still needs to conduct further tests before confirming the diagnosis.
“We still need to carry out further tests, but his ankle is very swollen. I think he’ll miss a few games,” Glasner said.
He then added, “Perhaps we won’t see him again until the AFCON.”
The injury creates a difficult situation for Senegal manager Pape Thiaw, who considers Sarr one of the key figures in his attacking structure.
The forward’s pace and direct play often shape Senegal’s approach, and his absence would force major tactical adjustments.
Sarr now enters a race against time as he waits for medical assessments that will determine whether he can feature in Senegal’s AFCON campaign.
