Player Watch · Oct 16, 2026
Takumi Minamino is back: first start in 298 days, and he's already setting up goals
Welcome back, Taki. Takumi Minamino started for Monaco on October 15 in the Conference League against CSKA Sofia. It was his first competitive appearance since he tore his left ACL on December 21, 2025, 298 days ago. And he didn't ease in quietly. He was part of the move for Monaco's opener in the 3rd minute and started the move for the second goal before half time, and Monaco held on to win 2–1. He came off around the hour mark, which is exactly how you manage a player coming back from a knee like that. Minamino first got minutes in a friendly against Pisa on October 3. Now he has a real start and two goal involvements in a European match. With Japan facing Brazil and Paraguay in November and the Asian Cup ahead, this is the comeback we were waiting for. Ten months of rehab, and he looks like himself again.
Source: Football Channel (Japanese)