Wu Lei Sidelined for Two Months After Knee Surgery: What’s Next for China’s Star Striker?

Chinese football fans, brace yourselves: national team star Wu Lei is facing a two-month hiatus after confirming knee surgery . The Shanghai Port striker revealed his lingering right knee injury forced him to miss critical World Cup qualifiers last November—and now requires an operation to avoid long-term damage.

The Injury Timeline

Wu skipped China’s 1-0 win over Bahrain and 3-1 loss to Japan in qualifiers, opting for conservative treatment initially. But with persistent pain disrupting his performance, he told reporters: \"The problem won’t go away without surgery. If I don’t act now, it’ll get worse.\"

Recovery Roadmap

Wu is coordinating with Shanghai Port on surgery timing and rehab plans. His absence means he’ll miss March’s high-stakes qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Australia —a major setback for China’s World Cup 2026 hopes. Fans are crossing fingers for a speedy recovery!

The Big Question

Can China’s national team rally without their top striker? With Wu sidelined until at least May, all eyes are on coach adjustments and emerging talent. Stay tuned for updates!

Reference(s):

Chinese striker Wu Lei to have knee surgery, miss at least two months

cgtn.com