Ghana defender Tariq Lamptey ruled out long term after ACL tear in first Fiorentina start
Ghana international Tariq Lamptey has been dealt a crushing blow after Fiorentina confirmed the defender has torn the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.
The Serie A club announced on Monday that scans revealed the full extent of the damage, ruling him out for an estimated six to 12 months.
The 24-year-old, who switched from Brighton to Fiorentina in the summer transfer window, had only just been handed his first start for the Viola when the injury occurred.
Lamptey was forced off after just 22 minutes of Sunday’s Serie A clash with Como at the Artemio Franchi Stadium, cutting short what was meant to be his breakthrough appearance in Italy.
The setback is a significant disappointment both for Lamptey, who had been eager to re-establish himself after a series of fitness issues in England, and for Ghana, who are preparing for key 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers next month.
His absence robs the Black Stars of one of their most gifted defenders during a crucial stretch.
Fiorentina went on to suffer a 2-1 defeat, their second straight league loss. Despite an early strike from Rolando Mandragora, the Viola were undone by second-half goals from Marc-Oliver Kempf and Dutch-born Ghanaian forward Jayden Addai, who sealed victory for Como in stoppage time.
Lamptey’s prolonged absence marks another frustrating chapter in a career repeatedly hampered by injuries, leaving both club and country needing to adjust quickly to life without the energetic full-back for the foreseeable future.
