HOUSTON — Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone says he was more worried about letting his country down than his own wellbeing when he suffered a broken leg during Canada’s World Cup group stage play, but he has stayed close to the team and continues to be part of their journey heading into a last-16 showdown with Morocco in Houston this Saturday.
Kone required emergency surgery after a challenge from Qatar’s Assim Madibo during Canada’s second group match. Madibo was handed a five-game suspension for the play. Despite the serious injury, Kone quickly rejoined his teammates and has remained a visible presence throughout the tournament.
In a letter published by The Players’ Tribune, Kone opened up about what was going through his mind as he was being carried off the field.
“I’m just thinking … not now,” he wrote. “I wasn’t worried about myself. No one has to worry about me. I’ll do my rehab, then I’ll come back better than I ever was. That much I knew before they put me on the stretcher.”
Kone said his thoughts quickly turned to his teammates and what the injury meant for Canada’s chances on the field.
“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 wrote.
“That’s when this happens? Up 3-0, BC Place rocking, we’re 40 minutes to our first ever World Cup win. And now I’m hearing the entire stadium go quiet, 50,000 fans. I just felt like I was letting the whole country down.”
Kone said he has been genuinely surprised by the wave of support pouring in from fans across the country since the injury became public.
“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.
Kone also shared what he told his medical team right before going into surgery, making clear how much his career means to him.
“Hey guys this is all I have. I’ve worked my whole life to be a footballer, and I need to get back out there for this team. So let’s have an amazing surgery. Operate like I’m your brother or son,” he told them.
