May 31, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Club America goalkeeper Luis Malgon (1) blocks a shot during extra time against LAFC during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup playoffs at BMO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Image Club America announced Wednesday that Mexico national team goalkeeper Luis Angel Malagon suffered a torn left Achilles tendon during Tuesday’s Concacaf Champions Cup match against the Philadelphia Union.
Malgon, who is expected to be a starting pitcher for one of the host countries in the 2026 World Cup, was ruled out of the tournament due to needing surgery.
“I feel hurt, sad and soul-shattering. Trying to make sense of it all and asking ‘Why?'” Malgon wrote on Instagram hours after sustaining the injury.
“There are moments in life that are difficult to understand, especially when you have always walked a straight line and acted with good intentions. Today, with heartache, I would like to thank everyone and my team for their kind words and prayers.”
Malgon fell to the ground after failing to make contact with the goalkeeper following a Union free kick in the 37th minute of Club America’s 1-0 win in Chester, Pennsylvania. He came off the pitch five minutes later and was replaced by Rodolfo Cotta.
Malgon has been a member of the senior national team since 2023 and was in net when Mexico won the 2024-25 Concacaf Nations League tournament and the Concacaf Gold Cup.
The 29-year-old has been voted the best goalkeeper in each international competition. He also won the Best Goalkeeper award for the 2023-24 Liga MX campaign.
In Malagon’s absence, Chivas goalkeeper Raul “Tala” Rangel will face off against Santos Laguna’s Carlos Acevedo and 40-year-old Guillermo Ochoa, who has compiled a 5-4-2 record as goalkeeper for Mexico in the past three World Cups, for a starting spot in the national team.
–Field level media
