- Ansu Fati sustained a hamstring injury during AS Monaco’s draw against Lille at the end of October and is highly unlikely to play before 2027
- Folarin Balogun has returned from injury, scored in the 3-1 loss to Paris FC on Sunday and has been added to Monaco’s UEFA Conference League squad
- Balogun will be eligible to face Nordsjaelland on Thursday after replacing the injured Fati in the European squad on Tuesday
Fati Set For Extended Spell On The Sidelines
AS Monaco forward Ansu Fati (24) is facing a prolonged absence after picking up a hamstring injury during the draw against Lille OSC at the end of October. The setback comes after the Spaniard had already missed the start of the season through injury before making a short-lived comeback.
Filipe Luís, speaking at a press conference attended by Get French Football News, made clear that the latest injury is a serious one, although he also ruled out surgery for the former Barcelona forward.
“Fati’s injury? It’s going to be a long, long, many weeks. It’s going to be a long year. I cannot know for sure how long,” said the Brazilian, who, when pushed for a timescale on the forward’s return, added, “Let’s talk about it after Christmas”.
Given Monaco’s short winter break, Fati is therefore highly unlikely to feature again before 2027. Despite that lengthy expected absence, Luís confirmed that the player will not undergo surgery.
🚨 FOLARIN BALOGUN 🇺🇸 REMPLACE ANSU FATI 🇪🇸 SUR LA LISTE EUROPÉENNE DE MONACO ! 🔄🇲🇨
L’Espagnol, touché aux ischio-jambiers, sera absent DEUX MOIS. 🤕
L’Américain pourra jouer dès jeudi face à Nordsjælland en Ligue Conférence, avant un départ attendu en janvier.
🗞️ @lequipe https://t.co/NghkuepUsK
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) November 3, 2026
Balogun Returns To The Forefront
Folarin Balogun is now back in the Monaco side and has also returned to the scoresheet. The USMNT forward came back from the FIFA World Cup with an injury, while his aborted deadline-day move to Everton was a major distraction.
Those difficulties followed a campaign that was, if not his most prolific, at least the most complete of his career. Balogun scored 19 goals in 43 appearances in all competitions for Monaco, while his off-ball contribution and link-up play also drew praise.
His knee injury kept him out at the beginning of the season, and he was then left out of Monaco’s UEFA Conference League squad. However, after scoring his first goal since returning in Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Paris FC, he was added to the squad on Tuesday in place of the injured Fati. As a result, Balogun will be available for Thursday night’s match against Nordsjaelland.
Luís Highlights Balogun’s Improved Training Form
At the same press conference, Luís discussed Balogun’s inclusion in the Conference League squad and the forward’s recent progress in training.
“I think it’s important for Balogun also. He’s been training fantastically in the last couple of weeks. I can see that his form in training has improved a lot. And you all know he’s a top player. And we want to get the best of him. So in this case, I think having the Conference League, also to give minutes and get this feeling back of being a football player, a Monaco player, is going to help him regain his form, but also help the team with what we need. So this is very important for us. And it’s going to be good to see him on the pitch.
“For sure, what he lives, since the World Cup has not been normal for him. He’s been through a lot since the World Cup, the transfer window and everything. So sometimes some players are really fast, but sometimes players take a little bit longer. But as I said, in the last couple of weeks, he’s been fantastic in training. And of course, you can see that. You can see it. The players see it. The coach sees it. And when the players are like this, it is natural that he gets minutes to play.
“Of course, he’s a player who generates a lot for himself. He’s very dangerous attacking the space. He’s very strong. Shoot with both legs. Have this feeling that he wants to score goals. And yeah, it’s very good to have him back.“
European Context After The Squad Change
Balogun’s addition to the UEFA Conference League squad gives Monaco another attacking option at a time when Fati’s absence is expected to be lengthy. The change means Balogun can be involved against Nordsjaelland on Thursday night, with Luís stressing both the individual and collective benefits of giving the striker more minutes as he works back towards full rhythm.
