There is new and dramatic hope for Black Stars star Mohammed Kudus after a seventh-generation traditional Chinese medicine expert currently in Ghana declared that the midfielder’s quadriceps tendon injury can be treated entirely without surgery—and has offered to do it completely free of charge. Professor Liu Guangjun, a senior physician and inheritor of traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, has confidently predicted that the Tottenham Hotspur forward will be ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States this June. The offer represents a potential lifeline for Kudus, whose participation in the tournament appeared all but over following a devastating training setback just as he was nearing a return from the serious quadriceps tendon injury he sustained in a Premier League clash against Sunderland back in January.
Professor Liu, whose family has practiced traditional medicine for seven generations, expressed regret that treatment had not been sought earlier but remained resolutely optimistic about Kudus’ chances. “If treatment had been received in January, the patient would have recovered by now,” he acknowledged. “However, there is still hope, and time is still available.” The TCM expert made it clear that his commitment to Kudus goes beyond mere medical opinion. “We will do everything we can to help him return to normal and strive to enable him to bring glory to his country in the US game in June,” he said. In a remarkable gesture, Professor Liu has also pledged to treat the Black Stars talisman at no cost, removing any financial or contractual barriers that might delay immediate intervention.
The core of Professor Liu’s approach is the firm belief that surgery must be avoided at all costs. “Players who undergo surgery for such injuries are often considered ‘graduated’ and can no longer play at the highest level,” a source close to the expert explained. The term “graduated” refers to the harsh reality that many footballers never fully recover their explosive power and agility after major tendon surgery, with their careers effectively ending the moment they go under the knife. Professor Liu’s method, by contrast, focuses on acupuncture and herbal medicine to repair the tendon tissue naturally, eliminating the need for invasive procedures and promising permanent healing without such career-ending risks.
Acupuncture, a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine practiced for over 2,000 years, involves inserting ultra-fine needles into specific points on the body to restore the free flow of “qi” (life-force energy) and blood wherever blockage occurs. Scientific research has demonstrated its effectiveness in treating a wide range of sports-related injuries, including tendonitis, ligament sprains, muscle strains, and chronic inflammation. For an athlete like Kudus, whose game depends on explosive acceleration and sharp directional changes, avoiding surgery while achieving complete healing could be the difference between returning to stardom and an untimely decline. Acupuncture stimulates nerves in muscles and tissues, releasing endorphins that alter pain processing, while also reducing inflammation by promoting vascular and immune responses and improving muscle stiffness and joint mobility by boosting local microcirculation.
The use of traditional Chinese medicine in professional sports is not without precedent. In 2009, the San Francisco Giants became the first Major League Baseball team to hire a full-time acupuncturist—and won the World Series the following year. NBA superstars Allan Houston and Shaquille O’Neal have both been known to use acupuncture to manage chronic pain. In Ghana, traditional Chinese medicine has already gained a foothold through the China Traditional Herbal Hospital in Accra, established in 2012, which successfully treats patients with acupuncture, cupping, acupressure, massage, and physiotherapy for conditions including strokes, arthritis, and osteopathic diseases.
Beyond the medical intervention, Professor Liu issued an impassioned plea to the entire nation to rally behind their injured star. “You know, because you see the Ghana Black Stars, the team. So we have 100% support him,” he said. “Let’s get the good team from the football for Ghana, USA. Not only do we support him, but all Ghanaians should support him.” The appeal comes at a critical juncture for Ghanaian football. The Black Stars have lost four consecutive matches in Kudus’ absence—a run that ultimately led to the dismissal of head coach Otto Addo following defeats to Austria and Germany in recent friendlies. A new coach has yet to be appointed to steady the ship, and the team’s injury list continues to grow, with Mohammed Salisu, Ernest Nuamah, Francis Abu, Daniel-Kofi Kyereh, and Abdul Mumin all sidelined and facing a race against time to be fit for the World Cup.
With Ghana set to face Panama, England, and Croatia in what already shapes as a daunting group stage, the urgency of finding a solution cannot be overstated. Professor Liu has reportedly made himself available to begin treatment immediately, pending approval from the player, Tottenham Hotspur’s medical team and management, and the Ghana Football Association. Given the high stakes—a World Cup appearance hanging in the balance and a free, surgery-free solution on the table—there is hope that all parties will set aside protocol and embrace this unconventional but potentially career-saving intervention. The clock is ticking, but Professor Liu believes that with timely treatment, Kudus can still take the field in the United States this June and bring glory to his country once again. “We have 100% support him,” the TCM expert reiterated. “All Ghanaians should support him.”
Professor Liu Guangjun, a seventh-generation inheritor of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and acupuncture currently in Ghana, has assessed the situation and expressed confidence in a full and rapid recovery for the Tottenham Hotspur forward.
‘He Could Return to the Court Quickly’
According to sources close to the matter, Professor Liu was consulted on Kudus’ condition and gave an encouraging prognosis.
“Professor Liu said the quadriceps tendon injury could be treated entirely with Traditional Chinese Medicine, and that he would recover quickly,” a source revealed. “With timely treatment, he might even be able to return to the court.”
The statement offers a glimmer of hope for Ghanaian football fans who have feared that Kudus might miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a recent setback in his recovery from a serious quad tendon injury sustained in January.
Avoiding Surgery
The TCM expert’s approach would focus on acupuncture and herbal medicine to repair the tendon tissue naturally, eliminating the need for invasive surgery—a procedure that many believe could end the careers of elite footballers.
“Players who undergo surgery for such injuries are often considered ‘graduated’ and can no longer play at the highest level,” a source noted. Professor Liu’s method promises permanent healing without such risks.
Race Against Time
With Ghana set to face Panama, England, and Croatia in the World Cup group stage, and the Black Stars already missing several key players due to injury, timely intervention could be crucial.
Professor Liu has reportedly made himself available to treat Kudus immediately, pending approval from the player, Tottenham Hotspur, and the Ghana Football Association.
