Napoli warn Buongiorno may need knee surgery
Quick summary
Napoli defender Alessandro Buongiorno is at risk of undergoing knee surgery, the club has warned. The news raises concerns over his availability for the upcoming period.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceThere is bad news for Napoli, who announced Alessandro Buongiorno will miss pre-season due to a knee injury and could require surgery for a lengthy lay-off.
The Partenopei are starting work with new coach Max Allegri , but he is not going to have a full squad at his disposal.
Buongiorno out of Napoli pre-season NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 04: Jonathan Burkardt of Eintracht Frankfurt battles for possession with Alessandro Buongiorno of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between SSC Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 04, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) A statement from Napoli confirmed that Buongiorno has been excluded from the pre-season training camp after tests showed his right knee injury has not fully healed.
Now a specialist consultation is required to see if a surgical option is necessary.
If he does go under the knife, the Italy international could be out of action for several months.
The 27-year-old former Torino defender was bought by Napoli for €36.5m in the summer of 2024, plus add-ons.
He already missed quite a few games last season due to an adductor issue, but the knee problem had flared up at the very end of the Serie A campaign.
Napoli are short on defenders as it is, because Juan Jesus was released at the end of his contract.
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What happened
Napoli have issued a warning that centre-back Alessandro Buongiorno could require knee surgery, casting doubt over his immediate playing future. The former Torino defender has been a key figure in Napoli's backline since joining, making his potential absence a significant concern for the club. No definitive timeline or surgical decision has been confirmed yet, but the warning signals a potentially extended layoff.
Chance analysis
Buongiorno has been a regular starter for Napoli this season, and losing him to surgery would weaken their central defensive options significantly. Napoli's depth at centre-back will be tested, potentially forcing a tactical adjustment or reliance on squad players. For match prediction purposes, Napoli's defensive solidity rating should be downgraded until his status is clarified.
Napoli likely to be without key defender Buongiorno for an extended period, weakening their central defense.
Adjust Napoli defensive projections downward; Buongiorno's potential absence weakens their backline until further notice.