Ghana international Kamaldeen Sulemana is set to miss the opening months of the 2026/27 season after suffering a knee injury during Atalanta’s pre-season friendly against Schalke 04.

The 24-year-old winger sustained the injury just 11 minutes after coming on at half-time in the weekend encounter, forcing him to leave the pitch prematurely.

Sulemana had only returned to Atalanta’s pre-season preparations last week after representing Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

He featured for 45 minutes in Atalanta’s previous friendly against Feyenoord, which ended in a 2-1 defeat, before suffering the setback against Schalke.

Initial medical examinations conducted on Tuesday revealed a second-degree tear of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee.

As a result, Sulemana is expected to spend between two and three months on the sidelines, with a potential return around December.

The injury could see him miss more than 20 matches for Atalanta across Serie A and cup competitions, depending on the exact length of his recovery.

The timing is particularly unfortunate for both Sulemana and the Bergamo-based club, who had reportedly been considering selling the winger during the current transfer window.

Sulemana joined Atalanta from Southampton last summer in a deal worth €17 million. He made 37 appearances in his debut campaign, scoring three goals and providing two assists.

The Right to Dream Academy graduate also endured injury problems last season, missing 27 days of action across two separate spells on the sidelines.

He is now expected to begin rehabilitation as he targets a return to competitive football later this year.

Atalanta are scheduled to begin their 2026/27 Serie A campaign on August 23, when they host Sassuolo.

Sulemana’s absence will also be a blow to Ghana, with the winger set to miss the opening four matches of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers as he recovers from the injury.

The Black Stars will therefore have to cope without one of their attacking options as they begin their qualification campaign.