Napoli Defender Alessandro Buongiorno to Miss Months After Meniscus Surgery

Napoli have confirmed that Alessandro Buongiorno requires a delicate surgical operation to repair the root of the medial meniscus in his right knee, sidelining the Italy international for an estimated two to three months.

The 27-year-old centre-back had been managing knee discomfort towards the end of last season and initially attempted to resolve the issue with conservative treatment. However, after reporting for pre-season testing, Napoli medical staff sent him for a specialist consultation in Barcelona, where the decision was made to operate.

The procedure, which will be performed in Barcelona in the coming days, addresses a meniscus root tear — a complex injury that typically requires an extended recovery period. Sky Sport Italia report that Buongiorno is expected to be out of action for between two and three months, a significant blow to Antonio Conte defensive setup ahead of the new Serie A campaign.

Napoli invested €36.5 million plus add-ons to sign Buongiorno from Torino in the summer of 2024, and the defender quickly established himself as a pillar of the Azzurri backline, forming a reliable partnership at the heart of defence. His absence leaves a considerable gap in central defence, with Napoli now likely to explore defensive reinforcements before the summer transfer window closes at the end of August.

Buongiorno, who made 32 Serie A appearances last season and earned a call-up to the Italian squad for World Cup qualifiers against Moldova, has become an increasingly influential presence both at club and international level. The former Torino academy product will now focus on his rehabilitation, with the club hoping for a full recovery ahead of a potential return later in the autumn.

Sources

• https://football-italia.net/official-buongiorno-requires-delicate-surgery/