Canadian winger Liam Millar has urged national team teammate Marcelo Flores to give himself time to process the heartbreak of a ruptured ACL, saying recovery begins with accepting the reality of the injury before focusing on a return to football. Flores is scheduled for surgery on Friday, and Millar said he understands the physical and mental challenge ahead because he suffered the same injury while playing for Hull against Burnley in the Championship in October 2024.
Millar said the early stages of rehabilitation were among the hardest periods of his career, describing doubts about whether he would play again, whether he would be fit for Canada, and whether he would return at the level he wanted. He said the experience taught him that players are never fully at their best all the time and that setbacks do not have to define a career. Millar pointed to his own comeback and to Alphonso Davies as examples that a major knee injury can be overcome and followed by high-level performances.
The Hull City winger also reflected on the strange and stressful road that led to the club’s promotion to the Premier League last month. Hull initially expected to face Southampton in the Championship playoff, but the opponent changed to Middlesbrough after Southampton were removed from the route following a spying scandal involving Middlesbrough. Millar said his side even prepared for two different opponents during the week, calling the situation surreal. Hull ultimately beat Middlesbrough to secure promotion and return to English football’s top division.
For Millar, the move to the Premier League represents a major step forward, but he is approaching it with confidence rather than fear. The Brampton, Ontario native said he believes his style of play could suit the Premier League even better than the Championship, especially depending on how Hull line up next season. At the same time, he knows nothing will be handed to him. He plans to return after the World Cup determined to earn his place and play as much as possible, regardless of squad changes or new signings.
The World Cup is now central to Millar’s thinking. A natural left winger, he has also featured on the right and said he is happy as long as he is on the pitch. Canada’s options on the left side may be changing, with Alphonso Davies unlikely to be available to start the tournament and Ali Ahmed also dealing with injury concerns. That could create an opportunity for Millar, who previously linked well with Davies under coach Jesse Marsch before his knee injury interrupted that partnership.
Beyond personal ambitions, Millar said he is motivated by the chance to inspire the next generation of Canadian players. He noted that he grew up without ever seeing Canada play at a World Cup, but now has the opportunity to represent the country on home soil at a time he believes the program has its strongest team ever. For Millar, every appearance is about setting a standard and showing young fans what it means to wear the national shirt. After overcoming a serious injury and achieving Premier League promotion, he now looks set to play a meaningful role in Canada’s biggest football moment.
