Senegal defender Bouna Sarr has been ruled out of this winter’s World Cup having undergone surgery on a persistent knee injury.
The 30-year-old, who plays for German powerhouse Bayern Munich, underwent surgery on his left knee yesterday (Tuesday, 13 September).
As a result, the former Marseille man who moved to the Allianz Arena two years ago will miss this winter’s showpiece in Qatar.
Having suffered with patella problems, the 13-time Senegal international hadn’t featured for the Bavarian giants so far this season.
However, having made his debut for the Lions of Teranga in October 2021, Sarr played every minute of Senegal’s African Cup of Nations triumph and started every game of their successful World Cup qualifying campaign.
Senegal defender Bouna Sarr ruled out of World Cup
“I don’t know how to express my disappointment to be away from the pitch for the coming months, and especially to miss a World Cup,” a devastated Sarr wrote on Instagram.
“It was not an easy decision to make but after many months of thinking, I understood it would be the wisest, and above all the most reasonable, decision for the rest of my career.”
Sarr joined Bayern from the Ligue 1 giants in October 2020 and has won two Bundesliga titles with the club despite making 27 appearances across all competitions in two seasons.
Bayern’s number 2020 has also won the FIFA Club World Championship and German Super Club.
Prior to joining Bayern, Sarr was a regular at the Stade Velodrome where he spent five years having joined Les Phoceens from French side Metz.
Born in France and eligible for Senegal through his father, the full-back rejected an offer from coach Aliou Cisse to play for Senegal at 2018 World Cup, opting to wait for his chance with Les Bleus instead, but the call from Didier Deschamps never came.
Senegal are in Group A alongside hosts Qatar, Ecuador and Netherlands.
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