Canada’s Ismael Koné has sent a message of gratitude to teammates and fans from his hospital bed after undergoing successful surgery on a broken leg sustained during Thursday’s dramatic 6-0 World Cup victory over Qatar in Vancouver.

The 21-year-old midfielder, who was substituted off in the 38th minute of the Group B match at BC Place following a heavy challenge, was operated on Thursday and is now recovering. “I am grateful for all the support I have received,” Koné wrote on social media Friday, adding: “I will be back soon.”

The injury occurred as Canada, playing in their first World Cup match since 1986, dominated Qatar with a historic performance. Jonathan Davids scored a hat-trick, while Qatar received two red cards in a match that also saw the Canadian midfielder stretchered off with a suspected leg fracture. The 6-0 scoreline marked the first time a team outside Europe or South America has scored five or more goals in a World Cup match.

Koné’s emotional post has resonated globally, drawing widespread support from fans and teammates alike. Dutch broadcaster RTL reported that the Canadian midfielder thanked both supporters and squad-mates for their solidarity following the “leg fracture” suffered during the Group B opener.

International outlets have echoed the sentiment. The BBC noted that Koné “thanks his team-mates and fans for their support after having surgery on a broken leg,” while German newspaper *Der Tagesspiegel* described the outpouring of public sympathy as “immense” following the “serious injury” in the Canada-Qatar clash.

Medical prognosis appears positive. RTL cited team doctors as expecting “full recovery,” a sentiment echoed in Hungarian coverage, which described the surgery as “successful.”

Koné’s message arrives as Canada prepares for their next Group B fixture against Belgium on Tuesday in Toronto. The injury casts a brief shadow over what has otherwise been a celebratory start to the tournament for the hosts, whose emphatic win over Qatar has already entered World Cup lore.

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