Giovanna Waksman Suffers Serious Knee Injury in U-17 Women's World Cup Round of 16
Giovanna Waksman, Brazil's promising U-17 midfielder, has suffered a serious knee ligament injury in the World Cup Round of 16 match against China.
- • Giovanna Waksman suffered a serious knee ligament injury during the Round of 16 match against China.
- • Brazil won the match 3-0 and qualified for the quarter-finals.
- • Giovanna had scored 3 goals and provided 1 assist in the group stage.
- • Brazil finished second in Group A behind Italy with 4 points.
Key details
Giovanna Waksman, a 16-year-old rising star and midfielder of Brazil's U-17 women's football team, sustained a serious knee injury during the Round of 16 match against China in the U-17 Women's World Cup held in Morocco on October 28, 2025. Following an orthopedic assessment and imaging tests, the Brazilian Women's National Team indicated that Giovanna may have suffered a ligament injury in her left knee, though treatment details and recovery time remain unclear.
Despite the setback, Brazil secured a 3-0 victory over China, advancing to the quarter-finals of the tournament. Giovanna had been instrumental in Brazil's group stage performance, scoring three goals and providing one assist across three matches. Brazil finished second in Group A with 4 points, following a 3-0 win against Morocco, a 1-1 draw with Costa Rica, and a tight 4-3 loss to Italy, who topped the group with 9 points.
Giovanna's injury represents a significant blow to the Brazilian squad, which had relied on her offensive contributions and midfield control. The national team announced these developments via social media but did not specify next steps for Giovanna's treatment. Her future participation in the tournament is uncertain as the team prepares for the challenges ahead in the quarter-finals.