The concern in Boca Juniors intensified after the medical alert about Exequiel Zeballosa prominent figure of the squad and undisputed starter during the start of the 2026 Apertura Tournament. The forward left training this Wednesday due to muscle discomfort and underwent studies that defined the seriousness of his situation: Changuito suffered a “Grade 2–3 muscle injury of the left femoral biceps”according to the report released by the institution, and she will be out for several games – recovery will take around three weeks.
The extreme does not represent the only loss in the last hours. The club confirmed that midfielder Ander Herrera “He has a grade 1 muscle injury to the rectus femoris muscle of the right thigh”. A minor distension for the attacker, but it will also prevent him from being part of the next commitments.
Zeballos’ absence adds to an extensive list of offensive casualties. The club’s medical department keeps the infirmary busy. Edinson Cavani remains affected by low back pain; The expectation is that he can return to the squad next weekend although there is no certainty that this will happen. Whoever joined the tasks and will be required in the coming days is Miguel Merentielwho recovered from a strain in his right soleus and aims to give the present this Sunday against Vélez in the Jose Amalfitani.
Milton Gimenez He continues in rehabilitation for pubalgia, which is why he began treatment that has been going on for a month. Lucas Johnson suffers from a grade 2 muscle injury in the left abdominal oblique muscle and Alan Velasco He remains out of action due to a grade 2 strain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Another name in recovery is Carlos Palacioswho has synovitis in his right knee and evaluates the evolution day by day to define his availability. A priori, the Chilean aims to be available in the Bombonera before Platense the following week.
Throughout the contest, Zeballos He was the protagonist in Boca’s three presentations: he participated in the entire match against Deportivo Riestra, Newell’s and Estudiantes de La Plata. His offensive contribution was decisive, since he converted the discount against the La Plata team and assisted in the opening of the scoring in the victory against the Leprosy. The 23-year-old from Santiago would miss the matches against Vélez, Platense, Racing and Gimnasia de Chivilcoy (Argentine Cup)while the initial plan of the technical and medical staff is to aim for a full recovery prior to the match against Lanús on February 25.
On the other hand, it emerged that in the last hours Zeballos received an official offer from CSKA Moscow for his entire transfer in exchange for 10 million dollars. However, the leadership headed by Juan Roman Riquelme y Marcelo Delgado rejected the proposal, considering that they would only accept an exit for the value of the termination clause, established between USD 15 and 20 million.
In parallel, The club formalized a request before the AFA to use the replacement quota due to Rodrigo Battaglia’s injurywho underwent surgery on his right Achilles tendon and will be inactive for six to eight months. The intention of the leadership is to incorporate a center forward in the coming days, although the names of possible reinforcements are kept strictly confidential.
The commitment to Velez It will be played on Sunday from 10:15 p.m. at the stadium Jose Amalfitaniwith arbitration by Nazareno Arasa. With the losses of Zeballos and Herrera confirmed, Boca will face a new challenge to rebuild its cast and sustain its aspirations in the tournament, while waiting for Merentiel, Palacios and Cavani to accelerate their returns and reduce an injured list that continues to grow. While the newcomer Angel Romero gets ready and adds credit to start from scratch, Úbeda is considering changing the scheme and including another midfielder or returning ownership to the Beastwhich could act as an attack reference and thus the coaching staff would choose between Iker Zufiaurre, Gonzalo Gelini or the paraguayo to define the extremes.
