What is an Achilles injury?

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike has been ruled out of France's 2026 World Cup Squad after suffering an Achilles tendon rupture during their Champions League quarter-final loss to Paris St-Germain.

The club confirmed he had sustained a serious rupture when slipping on the pitch, before having to be stretchered off.

So what are Achilles ruptures, and how long do they take to recover from?

The Achilles tendon is an important band of tissue connecting the calf muscles to the heel.

Because it is so frequently used for running, standing and walking, it can be susceptible to both overuse and sudden injuries.

There are two types of Achilles injuries:

Tendonitis is a more short-term injury that can generally be managed without professional medical intervention.

It occurs when the tendon becomes inflamed and swollen, and can be treated in as little as two to three weeks through rest, ice and support.

An Achilles rupture is a far more serious injury that requires medical attention.

This is when the fibres in the tendon break or tear, either partially or fully, which can result in a 'popping' noise.

Depending on how serious the tear is, it could require surgery.

Elite athletes who suffer an Achilles rupture will generally be booked in for surgery as soon as possible, consultant physiotherapist Nick Worth told BBC Sport.

"The quality of repair to the tendon is better when surgery is done quickly, instead of leaving it," he said.

In terms of recovery, Worth says an Achilles rupture is a "very significant" injury that can result in a similar period of time in rehab to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears - which can see athletes spend between six to eight months on the sidelines.

"The initial healing process sees the tendon stitched back together. Then you have to make sure the tendon is strong and let it settle.

"Progressive loading, and exercises to keep the tendon moving, help prevent scar tissues."

Non-athletes who experience an Achilles rupture may not opt for surgery, but instead be given a surgical boot, with the angle of the heel raise gradually reduced over several weeks to encourage healing.

"Diagnosis of an Achilles rupture is straightforward: you can't point your toes downward with any force. It can actually initially be missed," Worth told BBC Sport.

"It can happen without realising. People may just feel like they've been kicked in the calf and may not hear the 'pop' sound. But it is a medical emergency."

This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.