Ghana defender Mohammed Salisu has made his long-awaited return to competitive football after featuring for AS Monaco in their 2-1 victory over Lens on Friday.
The 27-year-old came off the bench in the 91st minute to make his first appearance of the season, ending a 258-day spell on the sidelines following a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
Salisu sustained the injury in January and was subsequently ruled out for several months, missing a significant portion of the year, including Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
His late introduction against Lens marked an important step in his recovery as he begins the process of regaining full fitness and match sharpness.
Despite spending only a few minutes on the pitch, Salisu described his return as a special moment after what he admitted had been a difficult period.
“An amazing feeling. It’s been a long time and it’s been a hard time. I think I’m happy to be back, and I hope I’ll get more minutes.”
He added:
“Honestly, it’s a big step for me. Even to get a little bit of minutes to play, it’s an amazing feeling.”
Salisu will now look to gradually increase his playing time as Monaco continue their campaign across domestic and European competitions.
The centre-back’s return could also be significant for Ghana as the Black Stars prepare for their upcoming international assignments.
Having established himself as an important defensive option for the national team, Salisu will hope his return to regular club football allows him to regain his best form and strengthen his case for future international selection.
For now, the defender will focus on building his fitness and making a full return to competitive action after a lengthy and challenging spell on the sidelines.