Argentina forward Joaquín Panichelli has suffered a right ACL tear that rules him out of the upcoming World Cup and sidelines him for the remainder of the season with Strasbourg. The 25-year-old striker, who leads Ligue 1's scoring table with 16 goals, sustained the injury during Argentina's training session on Thursday while preparing for a friendly against Mauritania in Buenos Aires. Panichelli left the pitch in tears as his World Cup dreams were shattered.

The injury occurred during a crucial period for Panichelli's international career. Having made his Argentina debut in November 2025 during a 2-0 victory over Angola, he was actively competing for a spot on the final World Cup squad. Tests confirmed the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, requiring surgery and an expected recovery time of six to eight months. This marks the second time Panichelli has torn his right ACL, having suffered the same injury in 2024.

Strasbourg now faces a significant challenge in their pursuit of Ligue 1 glory, losing their top scorer with 16 goals. The Argentine medical report posted on the team's X account read: "Stay strong, Joaco! We are with you." Panichelli's absence creates a void in both Argentina's attacking options and Strasbourg's title ambitions, with the club needing to quickly adjust their offensive strategy without their leading goal threat.