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Folarin Balogun’s Triumphant Return: USMNT Striker Nets Hat Trick Post-Surgery
Folarin Balogun, the talented U.S. striker, made a remarkable comeback from shoulder surgery, scoring a hat trick in a friendly match for AS Monaco’s reserve team against Brighton’s under-23 squad.
Folarin Balogun, the promising striker for the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT), showcased an impressive performance in his first match of the year after recovering from shoulder surgery. The match took place on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, against Brighton’s under-23 team, where he netted three goals in the first half. This encouraging return came after Balogun underwent surgery in December 2024 to repair a dislocated shoulder, which had kept him off the field for months.
Balogun’s Journey Back to the Field
After a challenging rehabilitation period, Balogun made his long-awaited return to competitive football:
- Returned to action with AS Monaco’s reserve team.
- Marked his comeback with a hat trick in just 45 minutes of play.
- Aspiring to play against local rival Nice in the French league on Saturday.
Struggles with Injury and Surgery
Balogun’s injury saga began with a dislocated shoulder that sidelined him for nearly two months. Here’s a brief timeline:
- November 2024: Returned to competition only to aggravate his injury during a match against Marseille.
- December 2024: Underwent surgery to address the dislocated shoulder.
- March 25, 2025: Scored a hat trick in a friendly, reflecting his recovery and potential for more contributions to his team.
𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐍 𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 🔥🇺🇸
Our American striker scored a hat-trick in 45 minutes with the Elite’s Group! 😍
Counting the days to see you back at the Louis-II, Balo! 💪 pic.twitter.com/iEWIhRx9TZ
— AS Monaco EN 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco_EN) March 25, 2025
Balogun’s return is especially significant considering he was unavailable for the recent Concacaf Nations League Finals, where the U.S. team finished in fourth place. His absence left a gap in the striker position, forcing coach Mauricio Pochettino to turn to alternatives like Josh Sargent and Patrick Agyemang for key matches.
Looking Ahead
As Balogun continues to regain fitness, fans eagerly await his performance against Nice this weekend in the French league, hoping he can translate his recent success into vital contributions for both Monaco and the USMNT.
In conclusion, Folarin Balogun’s successful return to the pitch after surgery ignites hopes for an exciting finish to the season for him and his team. His hat trick is just the beginning of what could be a stellar comeback.
Keywords: Folarin Balogun, USMNT, AS Monaco, shoulder surgery recovery, hat trick, French league, Brighton, sports news, soccer updates
Hashtags: #FolarinBalogun #USMNT #SoccerNews #ASMonaco #SportsRecovery #HatTrick