Roger Fernandes injury hands Al-Ittihad major early-season setback

Al-Ittihad have confirmed that Roger Fernandes has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, an injury expected to rule the player out for most of the new season.

The Saudi club announced the diagnosis on Sunday after Fernandes underwent medical examinations at the International Medical Center. The winger sustained the injury during Al-Ittihad’s training session on Saturday.

In a statement published on the club’s official account on X, Al-Ittihad said: “The medical examinations undergone by first-team football player Roger Fernandes at the International Medical Center, after the injury he suffered during yesterday’s training session, showed that he had suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in the left knee.”

The club added that preparations were under way for Fernandes to undergo surgery in the coming days. The operation will be followed by a medical treatment and rehabilitation programme designed to support his return to football.

“The club’s medical staff are currently completing the necessary arrangements for the player to undergo surgery during the next few days, in preparation for the start of his treatment and rehabilitation programme according to the medical plan prepared for his return to the pitch,” the statement said.

The injury represents a significant blow to Al-Ittihad at the start of the new campaign, with the club indicating that Fernandes will be unavailable for most of the season. No further details were provided about the precise length of his absence or the date of the operation.

Fernandes joined Al-Ittihad last summer from Sporting Braga in a deal worth an initial €32m. The agreement also included a further €2.5m in bonuses linked to collective achievements and titles.

His move to the Saudi club made him one of the notable additions to Al-Ittihad’s squad, but his campaign has now been disrupted by the serious knee injury suffered in training.

The club’s medical team will oversee the next stage of his treatment, beginning with the arrangements for surgery and continuing with his rehabilitation. Al-Ittihad said the programme would be carried out in line with the medical plan established to guide Fernandes towards a return to the pitch.

For now, the focus is on completing the necessary procedures before the operation, after which the club will begin the longer recovery process associated with the anterior cruciate ligament injury.