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France fly-half Romain Ntamack will miss playing for his country in the Rugby World Cup due to an ACL injury. PA
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FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Nottingham Forest - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 12, 2023 Arsenal's Jurrien Timber reacts after sustaining an injury REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details. / File Photo
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Real Madrid's Eder Militao suffered an ACL injury in his club's victory over Athletic Bilbao, in their opening fixture of the La Liga campaign. EPA
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FILE - Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois waves to fans at the end of the Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Real Madrid says goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has torn a ligament in his left knee and will require surgery. Local media reports that the injury occurred during training. (AP Photo / Manu Fernandez, File)
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Real Madrid signed Chelsea's Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on a season-long loan to replace Courtois. AFP
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Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, who signed for the club in June, sustained an ACL injury in pre-season training. USA Today Sports
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Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings is also facing a long spell on the sidelines, following an ACL injury. PA
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England captain Leah Williamson was forced to miss the Women's World Cup after sustaining an ACL injury while playing for Arsenal. Getty
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England forward Beth Mead, star of the country's European Championship win, suffered an ACL injury in November that kept her out of the Women's World Cup. EPA
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France fly-half Romain Ntamack will miss playing for his country in the Rugby World Cup due to an ACL injury. PA
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FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Nottingham Forest - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - August 12, 2023 Arsenal's Jurrien Timber reacts after sustaining an injury REUTERS/David Klein EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club /league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details. / File Photo
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Real Madrid's Eder Militao suffered an ACL injury in his club's victory over Athletic Bilbao, in their opening fixture of the La Liga campaign. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JAQUAYT2ZFXVSYXVRUXZ4DGSII.jpg?smart=true&auth=fa51e18b6c8dae81d92190cada59b02b90889d5d09362073672005927633757a&width=400&height=225)
FILE - Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois waves to fans at the end of the Champions League semifinal first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, May 9, 2023. Real Madrid says goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has torn a ligament in his left knee and will require surgery. Local media reports that the injury occurred during training. (AP Photo / Manu Fernandez, File)
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W2QOIHDQK4YFIWEEJNWUWTEIJM.jpg?smart=true&auth=cf0305c32204b71eaada86b4a9c28436919e0b4d4ad9ba28d78ac3f3e606aeae&width=400&height=225)
Real Madrid signed Chelsea's Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on a season-long loan to replace Courtois. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/UG34RDGCAK4FXLFXYIGHHJ322M.jpg?smart=true&auth=1370f52558e20b940cf1a39ceb09582875d5c75bf3e2349d26b554dcdb9cff14&width=400&height=225)
Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku, who signed for the club in June, sustained an ACL injury in pre-season training. USA Today Sports
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HHOYTQ26KIBXILUE3GHQL4BPHI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d6a670bf3eee6766dc0ddcc3acfc4ab476f1c8e2c221dd7a376bb1a630704d75&width=400&height=225)
Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings is also facing a long spell on the sidelines, following an ACL injury. PA
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England captain Leah Williamson was forced to miss the Women's World Cup after sustaining an ACL injury while playing for Arsenal. Getty
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England forward Beth Mead, star of the country's European Championship win, suffered an ACL injury in November that kept her out of the Women's World Cup. EPA
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France fly-half Romain Ntamack will miss playing for his country in the Rugby World Cup due to an ACL injury. PA
Why are so many top football stars suffering ACL knee injuries?
Doctor says women are at much greater risk of being sidelined by the injury
![Nick Webster](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F9cfba7f3-8cc8-4789-bcec-97bd0007d9ef.png?smart=true&auth=96a9a5766af20e4704e52306e74ecd02669a7e0ffd084d4151d31e0039a945d3&width=70&height=70)
Nick Webster
18 August, 2023
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