AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun is set to undergo shoulder surgery following a recurrence of the injury that sidelined him earlier this season.
Head coach Adi Hütter confirmed the development during a pre-match press conference, describing it as a significant blow for the player and the team.
Balogun, 23, initially suffered a dislocated shoulder in early October during a match against Stade Rennais. Despite returning to action, including a bench appearance against Benfica and a subsequent start against Olympique de Marseille, the forward faced another setback. A physical duel with Marseille’s Leonardo Balerdi aggravated the injury, forcing Balogun to miss Monaco’s weekend victory over Toulouse FC.
Speculation about his availability for the clash against Arsenal, his boyhood club, was quashed when the striker was absent from training and excluded from the traveling squad. Now, surgery has been deemed necessary to address the persistent issue.
“It’s a shame for him and for us,” Hütter lamented, unable to provide a timeline for Balogun’s return. The prolonged absence of Monaco’s key forward leaves a gap in the team’s attacking lineup.
