Maccabi Haifa's Manuel Benson Tears ACL and Meniscus, Out for 2026/27 Season

Maccabi Haifa suffered a major setback as Manuel Benson, the club's highest-paid foreign winger, tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus during a Toto Cup qualification match against Hapoel Jerusalem on August 17, 2026. Benson, who joined the team in January and has a history of injuries, was substituted in late in the game but immediately injured his knee after a sharp movement, requiring evacuation on a stretcher. Initial medical assessments did not indicate an ACL tear, but subsequent examinations confirmed the severe injury.

The 26-year-old Angolan-Belgian player, earning 600,000 euros per season under contract until the end of this campaign, is expected to miss the entire 2026/27 season. Maccabi Haifa plans to freeze his contract and seek a replacement. Benson had recently recovered from Achilles tendon inflammation and was anticipated to play a significant role under coach Barak Bachar. The club announced that Benson will begin treatment and rehabilitation soon and expressed wishes for a full recovery, pledging support throughout his rehabilitation process.