Onana ACL Heartbreak, Sommer to Club Brugge, and a Merckx Documentary: Belgian Sports Roundup
Belgian sports fans had plenty to digest on July 14, 2026, as three major stories unfolded across football and cycling. Aston Villa and Red Devils midfielder Amadou Onana broke his silence on a devastating ACL tear suffered at the World Cup, Club Brugge announced the signing of veteran Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer, and cycling legend Eddy Merckx was revealed as the subject of a new documentary featuring unprecedented participation from his wife Claudine.
Onana: “My World Collapsed”
Amadou Onana, the 24-year-old Belgian international, has spoken publicly for the first time since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during Belgium’s World Cup match against the United States. In an emotional statement published by De Morgen, Onana described the moment his tournament — and season — came to an abrupt end just 20 minutes into the match.
“From the moment I fell to the ground, my world collapsed,” Onana said. “I knew something very serious had happened.”
The midfielder described an emotional rollercoaster in the days following the injury. On day two, he recalled “staring at my swollen knee and needing help with everything” as the hardest moment. But by day three, a mental shift occurred. “I thought: ‘Why NOT me? I am no better than any other player who has suffered this injury. It’s just part of the sport,’” he said. “I am convinced that this experience will help me grow as an athlete, as a person, as a father, as a husband.”
Onana faces a recovery period of 9 to 12 months, meaning he will miss the remainder of the World Cup and Belgium’s Nations League campaign this autumn. He is not expected to return to the pitch until 2027. Teammate Romelu Lukaku showed support by holding up Onana’s shirt after scoring against the USA.
Yann Sommer Signs for Club Brugge
Club Brugge has officially announced the signing of Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer on a three-year contract until 2029, as reported by HLN. The 37-year-old arrives as the successor to Simon Mignolet, who retired in May 2026 at age 38.
Sommer, a free agent after leaving Inter Milan, brings a wealth of experience to the Belgian champions. He has earned 96 caps for Switzerland, played in the 2025 Champions League final with Inter, and won league titles with Inter (2), Bayern Munich, and Basel. He will wear the number 1 shirt as first-choice goalkeeper, with Nordin Jackers and young talent Argus Vanden Driessche as backups.
Club Brugge had been searching for Mignolet’s replacement for months. Initial talks were for a two-year contract, but Sommer’s camp leveraged interest from other clubs to secure a third year. Notably, a key role in the transfer was played by Aleksandar Stankovic, the young Serbian midfielder who used his friendship with Inter’s Federico Dimarco to help convince Sommer to choose Club Brugge.
The signing is a major statement of intent from Club Brugge as they prepare for the 2026-27 Champions League campaign.
”525: The Unstoppable Eddy Merckx” Documentary Announced
Cycling legend Eddy Merckx, 81, will be the subject of a new documentary titled “525: The Unstoppable Eddy Merckx,” produced by Rapha Films and 6 Day Films. The number 525 refers to Merckx’s career victories — a tally widely considered unbreakable in modern cycling.
The documentary, detailed by HLN and on Rapha’s official site, features an impressive cast of interviewees including son Axel Merckx, wife Claudine, Lotte Kopecky, Mark Cavendish, Roger De Vlaeminck, Bradley Wiggins, and Ernesto Colnago.
Claudine Merckx’s participation is particularly significant, as she has long refused media interviews. “Hearing my mum speak in the film was probably the biggest triumph of all,” Axel Merckx said.
The London premiere will take place on July 30 at a cinema on Regent Street, with a Q&A hosted by Rapha founder Simon Mottram. A Brussels screening follows on August 12 at Cinema Galeries, where Eddy Merckx himself will attend and participate in a Q&A with his son.
What to Watch For
Onana’s recovery will be closely monitored by both Aston Villa and the Belgian national team, with his return expected in 2027. Club Brugge, now with Sommer between the posts, will aim to make an impact in the Champions League this season. And cycling fans can look forward to the Merckx documentary premieres in London and Brussels later this month.