Ismael Kone put on a brave face from his hospital bed after suffering a sickening leg break that brought his World Cup campaign to a cruel end.
The Canada midfielder was stretchered off during his side's emphatic 6-0 victory over Qatar on Thursday night after a reckless challenge from Assim Madibo left players and supporters fearing the worst.
Kone, 24, has since undergone surgery and was pictured smiling alongside team-mate Moise Bombito, who visited him in hospital and shared a selfie from his bedside.
Despite facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, the Sassuolo midfielder appeared determined to remain positive as Canada moved to the brink of reaching the knockout stages.
The horrific incident occurred in the 53rd minute of the Group B encounter when Madibo lunged into a challenge and caught Kone on the leg.
Witnesses inside the stadium reported hearing an audible snap, while players from both sides immediately signalled for medical assistance as the severity of the injury became apparent.
Kone was given oxygen treatment on the pitch before being carried away by medics, but still managed to wave to supporters as he left the field.
Canada manager Jesse Marsch later confirmed the midfielder would require surgery and vowed he would receive the best possible treatment.
Ismael Kone put on a brave face from his hospital bed after suffering a sickening leg break that brought his World Cup campaign to a cruel end
|The injury overshadowed what was otherwise a memorable evening for the tournament co-hosts.
Nathan Saliba replaced Kone and marked his introduction by curling home a superb free-kick before holding up his team-mate's shirt in an emotional tribute.
Madibo was shown a straight red card for the challenge, while Qatar finished the match with nine men after Homam Ahmed had earlier been dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity.
Ismael Kone suffered a broken leg in Canada's 6-0 triumph over Qatar at the World Cup | REUTERSLATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Every team to have won the World Cup | GETTY/GB NEWSMarsch also revealed that Madibo visited the Canada dressing room after the match to apologise personally to Kone.
Hat-trick hero Jonathan David was less forgiving when discussing the tackle.
"If there's a play where you cannot win the ball, there's no point," he said.
"It's just to hurt people."
Kone enjoyed an impressive campaign with Sassuolo last season, scoring six goals in 35 Serie A appearances.
The midfielder began his career with CF Montreal before moving to Watford in 2022.
Canada and Qatar players watched on in horror after Ismael Kone's horror injury | GETTYAfter establishing himself in England, he secured a £15million switch to Marseille, though opportunities became limited under Roberto De Zerbi.
A loan move to Sassuolo followed before the Italian side completed a permanent transfer in January.
Kone has won 42 caps for Canada and scored four international goals, but his focus will now turn towards recovery after seeing his dream of starring at a home World Cup cut short.
Canada's dominant victory over Qatar has left Marsch's side on the verge of securing a place in the knockout rounds, while Qatar must defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina to keep their own hopes alive.