Napoli have confirmed that Alessandro Buongiorno requires a delicate surgical operation to repair the root of the medial meniscus in his right knee, in a significant blow to Antonio Conte's side ahead of the new Serie A season.
The 27-year-old Italy international, who joined Napoli from Torino in the summer of 2024 for €36.5 million plus add-ons, is expected to undergo the procedure in Barcelona over the coming days. The club released a medical bulletin on Tuesday confirming the injury and the planned surgery.
Buongiorno has established himself as a cornerstone of Napoli's defence since his arrival, making 68 appearances across all competitions and earning widespread praise for his composure and reading of the game. His injury represents a major setback for a Napoli side that finished third in Serie A last season and harbours ambitions of challenging for the Scudetto under Conte.
The precise recovery timeline remains unclear, but sources close to the club describe the injury as serious. Meniscus root repairs typically require a rehabilitation period of four to six months, which could rule Buongiorno out until the winter months. Napoli's medical staff are expected to provide a more detailed prognosis following the surgery.
Napoli's defensive options are now stretched heading into the campaign, with the club potentially needing to enter the transfer market for cover. The Partenopei have been linked with several centre-backs in recent weeks, but the Buongiorno injury may accelerate their search for defensive reinforcements.
The meniscus root injury was sustained during a training session, with further examination revealing the extent of the damage that necessitates surgical intervention. [Corriere dello Sport via Napoli Magazine](https://www.napolimagazine.com/in-evidenza/articolo/cds-napoli-operazione-al-menisco-per-buongiorno-ecco-i-probabili-tempi-di-recupero-21-07-2026) first reported the severity of the injury, with [Football Italia](https://football-italia.net/official-buongiorno-requires-delicate-surgery/) and other outlets subsequently confirming the official club statement.
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