Locatelli: 'I am distraught and it hurts knowing I cannot fight for Juventus'
Quick summary
Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli has expressed his frustration and emotional pain at being unable to contribute to the team, likely due to an injury layoff.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceManuel Locatelli admits he’s ‘distraught’ after undergoing knee surgery with reports he could be out for five to six months. ‘It hurts knowing I won’t be able to fight for Juventus.’
The midfielder sustained a knee injury during the 1-1 draw with Milan on Sunday, and tests showed he had suffered meniscus damage.
It required an operation, which was performed today in Lyon, and Sky Sport Italia suggest he could be out of action for as much as five to six months, significantly more than the three that had been previously mentioned.
Long lay-off for Locatelli TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 06: Manuel Locatelli of Juventus is challenged by Luka Modric of Milan during the Serie A match between Juventus and AC Milan at Allianz Stadium on September 06, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) Locatelli took to social media and his Instagram account to express his frustration at this development.
“I won’t lie, I won’t use cliches here, I am distraught. I finished the game the other night and never expected to be hit by all this the next morning,” wrote the Italy international.
“The operation went well, and that is very important. Now I will have to stop for a while, and it hurts knowing that I cannot help my teammates, that I won’t be able to fight for the Juventus shirt along with them.
“It will require patience, but I will work in every way possible to return stronger, as I always have done.
“Life is made up of these moments too, it is up to us to decide how we deal with them. I will fight as always, cultivating every day the desire to get back onto the field as soon as possible.
“Thank you all for your support.”
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Locatelli had finished the match at the Allianz Juventus Stadium and there seemed to be no real signs of such a serious injury.
It was not the only blow suffered by the Bianconeri that day, because Jeremie Boga was also diagnosed with a medium grade lesion in his thigh and will be out for approximately five weeks.
TURIN, ITALY – MAY 17: Manuel Locatelli of Juventus FC during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and ACF Fiorentina at Allianz Stadium on May 17, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Chris Ricco/Getty Images) Kenan Yildiz, Khephren Thuram and Jeff Ekhator are also long-term absentees, with Weston McKennie, Juan Cabal, Andrea Cambiaso and Pape Matar Sarr also on the treatment table.
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What happened
Manuel Locatelli has spoken publicly about his anguish at being unable to feature for Juventus, stating he is 'distraught' and that it 'hurts' to watch from the sidelines. The Italy international midfielder's comments come during a period where he appears to be unavailable for selection, raising concerns about his fitness status. Juventus are dealing with the absence of one of their key central midfielders as their season progresses. The emotional tone of Locatelli's remarks underscores his commitment to the club despite the setback.
Chance analysis
Manuel Locatelli's public outpouring of frustration paints the picture of a player desperate to contribute but physically unable to do so — a familiar but always telling signal of an injury layoff in Italian football. For Juventus, losing a starting-calibre central midfielder is a meaningful absence in the middle of the pitch, where control and ball progression are paramount in Serie A. The emotional weight of his message also hints at the mental toll prolonged absences take on squad morale, something Andrea Allegri will need to manage as he shuffles his midfield options.
Juventus lose a key midfield option in Locatelli, weakening their central midfield control for upcoming fixtures until his availability is restored.