Hull City midfielder Eliot Matazo has suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee, a catastrophic injury that comes just over a year after he recovered from the same injury to his other knee. The 24-year-old Belgian, who joined Hull from AS Monaco last summer, collapsed after just ten minutes of his return match against Charlton Athletic this past weekend, having been out of action since February 2025. The Championship club confirmed the diagnosis on Monday, ending Matazo's season before it could properly begin.
Matazo had been making his first start since his previous ACL injury, sustained during his time at Monaco, which had kept him sidelined for more than twelve months. The cruel twist is that this new rupture affects the opposite knee, compounding a personal nightmare for the player. In an emotional Instagram post, Matazo wrote, "It’s hard to find the words, this ordeal is beyond my understanding… I surrender to God, He knows why. I have overcome this injury once, I will do it a second time. Thank you all for the messages and prayers."
The post prompted an outpouring of support from current and former Monaco teammates, including Aurélien Tchouaméni, Axel Disasi, Youssouf Fofana, Eliesse Ben Seghir, and Maghnes Akliouche, highlighting the close-knit bonds formed during his five-year stint at the Principality club. Matazo made over 50 appearances for Monaco between 2020 and 2024, establishing himself as a energetic and tenacious central midfielder before his initial serious injury disrupted his progress.
For Hull City and manager Tim Walter, this is a severe setback. The club invested in Matazo last summer, seeing his potential as a dynamic presence in their midfield, but he has been unable to make a sustained impact due to his fitness struggles. His absence for the remainder of the campaign leaves a significant hole in the squad as they aim to navigate a competitive Championship season. The psychological blow of seeing a key signing endure such a repeated trauma will also be felt deeply within the dressing room.
From a career perspective, Matazo now faces another grueling rehabilitation process, likely spanning nine to twelve months, at a crucial stage in his development. The double physical and mental challenge of recovering from two major knee injuries in quick succession is immense. His future at Hull City, and in the game, will depend heavily on his resilience and the medical support he receives, with the hope that he can eventually return to fulfill the promise he showed in Ligue 1.
