Michelle Agyemang to miss rest of season with ACL injury

England striker Michelle Agyemang has confirmed she has torn her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and will miss the rest of the season.

The 19-year-old was carried off the pitch on a stretcher after getting injured during the Lionesses' 3-0 win against Australia earlier this week.

Agyemang, who is currently on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion from Arsenal, wrote on social media that she was "disappointed" but added that she would "be back stronger than before."

Agyemang scored a number of important goals for the Lionesses at Euro 2025, and her impressive performances meant she picked up the Young Player of the Tournament award.

What's the latest?

Agyemang was carried off the pitch on a stretcher during England's game against Australia

Agyemang had only been on the pitch for 13 minutes after being brought on as a substitute, when she became injured during England's game against Australia on Tuesday.

She was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Chloe Kelly after hurting her knee.

After the match, England manager Sarina Wiegman said she was "not very positive" about the injury, and it's now been confirmed that the star striker will be out for a number of months.

Agyemang wrote on social media: "[I'm] disappointed that results show a torn ACL.

"I am so grateful for all the kind words and support from everyone."

She added: "Recovery starts now, I will be back stronger than before."

Brighton and Hove Albion have said that they and Arsenal will work together on a rehabilitation programme for Agyemang, which will be helped by England and the Football Association (FA).

"Everyone at Albion sends all their support to Michelle as she begins her recovery, with her wellbeing foremost in all of our minds," a Brighton statement said.

Agyemang is currently on loan at WSL side Brighton and Hove Albion

If a footballer partially tears or injures their ACL, it often leads to them missing most - and in some cases, all - of a season, and usually requires them to spend six to nine months on the sidelines.

Other players currently out with ACL injuries include Tottenham's James Maddison, Chelsea defender Levi Colwill and Liverpool's Giovanni Leoni.

Agyemang has been a key player for Brighton this season.

She has featured in five of Brighton's six WSL games, starting each of those matches.

Agyemang will also miss the start of England's qualifying campaign for the 2027 Women's World Cup, which will run from February to December next year.

What is an ACL?

Our bodies are made up of bones, muscles and ligaments that help us to move.

The ligaments act as strong bits of strapping between each of the bones, holding them in place.

The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the key bits of tissue that keeps the knee bone (the patella) connected to the thigh bone (femur) above and the shinbone (tibia) below it.

But sometimes, when an athlete makes a sudden movement, stops or puts extra pressure on the knee joint, the ACL feels the pressure and can tear or snap altogether.

Studies suggest female footballers are two to six times more likely to get ACL injuries than male footballers and Fifa has funded research into why this is the case.