AMT broke it: Buta faces knee surgery, may be done for São Paulo this year | OneFootball

As AVANTE MEU TRICOLOR reported last Tuesday (15), right-back Aurélio Buta will undergo surgery on his right knee and is not expected to play for São Paulo again this season.

The 29-year-old Portuguese player suffered a meniscus injury during the match against Bragantino in the Brasileirão, played on August 29 at Morumbi, and the recommendation for surgery was confirmed after detailed examinations.

During the conservative treatment process, the player was even reintegrated into training at CT da Barra Funda, suggesting he could return to the matchday squad. However, recurring pain in the area prevented him from continuing activities with the group.

There was no way around it

Still bothered by the persistent discomfort in his knee, Buta sought the opinion of a foreign specialist for a second medical assessment, which confirmed the need for surgery.

The medical team therefore chose to have the defender undergo arthroscopy on his right knee. The expected recovery time ranges from five to six weeks, a timeline that puts his availability for the final stretch of the year in doubt.

If the rehabilitation schedule is completed without setbacks, the player may only be available to the coaching staff for the final rounds of the Brazilian Championship, starting in November.

He already had an injury history

The confirmation of Buta’s absence explains São Paulo’s board moving quickly in the market to announce young right-back Pedro Lima, who arrived on loan from Wolverhampton until the end of the season.

Signed by São Paulo in July this year, Aurélio Buta made only three appearances in the São Paulo shirt, without recording any goals or assists. The defender has a loan deal until mid-2027, with an option clause to extend it for another 12 months.

The right-back’s physical history has drawn attention since the start of his spell at the club. Before arriving at Morumbi, Buta had already spent 683 days sidelined throughout his career due to injuries.

In 2025, the player came close to joining Greek side Panathinaikos in a deal that fell through after local media reported he had supposedly failed his knee medical. During his official presentation at São Paulo, the player publicly denied that version of events.

“There was never any problem. I had an injury four years ago, but I was coming off a regular season, without any issues. I arrived there in good physical condition. I believe it was a misunderstanding between the clubs, things I can’t control, but I want to make it clear that I was physically fine and that those things are false,” the player said at the time.

Without Buta, Dorival Jr. has first-choice Lucas Ramón, youngster Igor Felisberto, and new signing Pedro Lima available for the position, with the latter already expected to be included for the clash against Internacional this Saturday (19).

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.