Sarina Bolden, a key forward for the Philippine women’s national football team, announced on Thursday that she sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury earlier this year, ruling her out of the recent AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers.
In a social media post, the 27-year-old revealed that she suffered the injury last April while playing for her club in Italy. The announcement sheds light on her absence from the national squad during the qualifiers.
“This has been one of the most challenging moments in my career,” Bolden wrote. “But I’m committed to recovering fully and returning stronger than ever.”
Bolden has already begun rehabilitation and remains focused on regaining full fitness. She expressed gratitude to fans and supporters for their continued encouragement during her recovery.
Bolden has been a central figure in the Philippine women’s football program and played a crucial role in the country’s historic participation in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Her absence in the qualifiers was a notable blow to the team.
The Philippine Football Federation has not issued an official update on Bolden’s return timeline, but her post indicated optimism about resuming competitive play once cleared.
Bolden concluded her message with a note of thanks: “To everyone sending messages of support—thank you. I’m taking it one day at a time, and I’ll be back.”
