Ghana international and Atalanta forward Kamaldeen Sulemana is facing an extended spell on the sidelines after sustaining a significant knee injury during a pre-season friendly, with medical examinations confirming that the 24-year-old will be unavailable for between two and three months.
The setback occurred on Saturday, 8 August 2026, at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen, where Atalanta secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over newly promoted Bundesliga side Schalke 04. Sulemana, who had been introduced as a second-half substitute shortly after the interval, managed only around 16 minutes of action before being forced to leave the pitch following a collision that left him with clear discomfort in his left knee. He made his way straight down the tunnel, prompting immediate concern among the club’s medical staff and coaching team led by Maurizio Sarri.
Subsequent instrumental tests carried out in the days after the match revealed a second-degree tear of the medial collateral ligament in the left knee. This diagnosis points to a partial rupture that, while not requiring surgery in most comparable cases, still demands a carefully managed rehabilitation process involving immobilisation, progressive strengthening and a gradual return to full training.
The projected recovery window of two to three months means the Ghanaian winger is unlikely to feature in the early stages of the 2026/27 Serie A campaign and will miss a substantial portion of Atalanta’s opening fixtures, as well as any potential European commitments the club may have.
The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate. Sulemana had only recently rejoined the Bergamo squad after representing Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where his involvement was limited, and he was in the process of impressing new coach Sarri during pre-season preparations.
Having arrived at Atalanta from Southampton in the summer of 2025 for a fee in the region of €17 million, the pacey attacker had shown flashes of his explosive talent on the flanks during his first season in Italy, contributing goals and providing an alternative dimension with his direct running and ability to operate on either wing. However, a history of various muscular and joint issues throughout his career has periodically interrupted his momentum, and this latest setback continues that pattern.
For Atalanta the absence removes one of their attacking options at a moment when squad planning for the new season is still taking shape.
Reports indicate that the club had been open to offers for the player during the current transfer window, viewing a potential sale as a way to generate funds or reshape the forward line. The confirmed length of the layoff effectively freezes those discussions for the time being, forcing the technical staff to adjust their depth charts and rely more heavily on other wide players and attacking midfielders already at the club.
Meanwhile, for the Ghana national team the news is equally unwelcome, as the Black Stars lose the services of one of their more dynamic attacking talents for the forthcoming international windows.