That’s a tough blow for both Christian Benteke and Belgium, especially with the World Cup on the horizon. A ruptured Achilles tendon is one of the more serious injuries a footballer can suffer, and a six-month recovery timeline is standard, if not optimistic. At just 23 at the time, though, Benteke still had age on his side for a full recovery and future international tournaments.
His absence likely forced Belgium coach Marc Wilmots to reconsider his attacking options, especially since Benteke had become a central figure in the national setup with his power, pace, and finishing ability.
Do you want to know who replaced Benteke in Belgium’s World Cup squad that year?
