Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey has sustained a muscle injury while playing for his club side Villarreal, raising concerns ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Villarreal midfielder is said to have picked up the injury without being involved in a tackle, but detected discomfort during the game and informed the medical staff.
Upon assessment, Partey chose not to risk further damage and asked to be substituted to rest and prevent escalation.
This was also the reason he was omitted from Villarreal’s squad that recorded an impressive 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
Medical diagnosis has confirmed that the player suffered a muscle injury, and he is expected to take several weeks to recover fully.
This is a worrying development for the former Arsenal midfielder, who has had recurring muscle injuries, including a similar setback in 2025 against Brentford in the Premier League.
The major concern now is whether Partey will recover in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and regain regular playing time at his club to be in peak form for the tournament.
This comes as another blow to the Black Stars, with Tottenham Hotspur attacker Kudus Mohammed also suffering a fresh injury, prolonging his recovery.