Injury crisis at Boca: a long list of absentees at the start of 2026

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La Número 12

·5 February 2026

Injury crisis at Boca: a long list of absentees at the start of 2026

Boca did not have the best start to the year, although it is far from being because of the results. While the defeat against Estudiantes in La Plata raised some doubts, the victories at La Bombonera against Deportivo Riestra and Newell’s featured good performances. However, Claudio Úbeda’s main problem lies in the large number of injuries that have piled up shortly after the season began.

Xeneize had a Wednesday full of bad news, as it was confirmed that Exequiel Zeballos and Ander Herrera are joining the long list of players with ailments, further complicating things for the coach. Sifón will have to look for alternatives for the upcoming matches, as the number of players who will be sidelined is much higher than one would expect with the year just starting.

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The injured players Boca has

Although there is no exact reason and the injuries do not follow a specific pattern, this can mostly be attributed to bad luck. Even though the fitness coach is being blamed on social media, there are ailments that are beyond the control of these professionals and will require very long recovery times.

Claudio Úbeda concerned about his players’ injuries.

Edinson Cavani

The lower back pain that worsened at the start of Fernando Gago’s tenure continues to trouble the Uruguayan striker. He was unable to finish 2025 with the minutes he wanted and started 2026 in the infirmary, with very little participation in the preseason. The good news? He has returned to training with his teammates and could be included in the squad list for the match against Vélez.

Miguel Merentiel

The other Uruguayan forward for Boca was one of those injured during preseason, specifically in the match against Olimpia in San Nicolás. The former Defensa y Justicia player ended up with discomfort that led to a muscle tear, although his recovery has been quite fast and he could be available for Sunday’s match in Liniers.

Milton Giménez

Another casualty during preseason. The former Banfield player is suffering from pubalgia, which so far shows no signs of being an injury that will let him return to the pitch quickly. This even worked against him during the transfer window, as Racing decided not to pursue deeper negotiations to sign him due to his physical problems. He has no return date and, although there is optimism, it could take another two months.

Rodrigo Battaglia

The pain in his Achilles tendon was so severe that the player, along with the club’s coaching and medical staff, decided that surgery was the best option. He is expected to be out for 6 to 8 months while he undergoes rehabilitation, but it is a problem he has been dealing with for over a year.

Carlos Palacios

He suffered from synovitis in his right knee and this type of injury also does not have an estimated recovery time. While it can be one or two weeks, the most extreme cases require 4 to 5 weeks, and he must gradually get back into action with light exercises. The Chilean is in the final phase of rehabilitation, but will not be available for the match against Vélez.

Lucas Janson

He secured the number nine spot after playing the friendly against Olimpia and the first match against Deportivo Riestra. Before the game against Estudiantes, he suffered a muscle tear that will keep him out for three to four weeks, so he will also miss the match against El Fortín in Liniers.

Alan Velasco

He played the match against Riestra, received a very hard tackle, and that caused a Grade 2 strain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee. The former Independiente player has had no luck physically and will be out for one to two months, adding to several other issues that have prevented him from playing since arriving from MLS.

Exequiel Zeballos

After tests, the club’s medical report confirmed that he will not be available for the match against Vélez and for at least two months, as he has a grade 2–3 muscle injury in his left biceps femoris. A very significant loss for the team.

Ander Herrera

The Spaniard and his injuries are a concern for everyone, as there are not many players in the squad who can fill his role. He had a good preseason and had been playing several minutes, even enduring a hard tackle against Newell’s that could have hurt him. Ultimately, he was unable to finish Wednesday’s practice, but his grade 1 muscle injury in the right rectus femoris was not too serious, and he will need 2 to 3 weeks to recover.