Canada's Koné feels the love after shocking World Cup injury

Canada's Koné feels the love after shocking World Cup injury

Ismaël Koné had emergency ​surgery after breaking leg against Qatar in Canada's 2nd group match

Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné felt like he had let the country down as he lay stricken on the pitch with a broken leg, but he has remained around the squad to offer his support ahead of their World ​Cup last-16 game against Morocco in Houston on Saturday.

​Koné, 24, had emergency surgery following a challenge by Qatar's Assim Madibo, who received a five-match ban, in their second group match, but was quickly reunited ​with teammates and continues to be part of their World Cup journey.

"I'm ⁠just thinking … not now," ⁠he said in a letter to The ‌Players' Tribune. "I wasn't worried about myself. No one has to worry about me."

He said he would return upon finishing rehab, "better than I ever was."

Gruesome injury to Ismaël Koné in victory over Qatar dampens Canadian men's joy of historic 1st World Cup win

Canada midfielder Ismaël Koné undergoes surgery to repair broken leg

"But the thing I ⁠couldn't stop thinking about, it's how disappointed I was not to get to help our team on the field anymore, while we're on this mission together. Where Canada football has been coming ‌and coming and coming and now it's here."

He spoke about the moment he got injured: "And now I'm hearing the entire stadium go quiet, 50,000 fans.

"I just felt like I ​was letting the whole country down."

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Support has been shocking, Koné says

Koné said he has been shocked at the level of support he has received since the injury.

"The ⁠amount of messages I'm receiving just from people all across Canada, who are behind this ⁠team, so they're behind me, and wanting to make sure I'm OK.

"Or the things I'm ⁠hearing ⁠now in person, when fans are ​seeing me on crutches at the games. Obviously I knew there'd be support, but the level ​has kind of shocked ⁠me a bit," he said.

Qatar player suspended 5 games after breaking leg of Canada's Koné

He also mentioned telling his doctors that he'd worked his whole life for this career, and that he needed to return to the field for his team.

"So let's have an amazing surgery. Operate like ⁠I'm your brother or son," ‌he recalled telling them.