Injury crisis leaves Boca with a long absentee list early in 2026 | OneFootball

Boca’s 2026 has been overshadowed by injuries, with Wednesday adding Exequiel Zeballos and Ander Herrera to a lengthy list. Coach Claudio Úbeda must find alternatives quickly.

Despite a defeat at Estudiantes in La Plata, home wins over Deportivo Riestra and Newell’s brought good displays. According to LaNumer12.com.ar, there is no clear pattern to the injuries, and several cases will need long rehabilitation.

Edinson Cavani’s back trouble, aggravated at the start of Fernando Gago’s tenure, limited late 2025 and his pre-season. He is training with the group and could make the squad to face Vélez. Miguel Merentiel tore a muscle in a friendly with Olimpia and could feature on Sunday.

Milton Giménez has pubalgia with no return date, it could be two more months, which also deterred Racing. Lucas Janson suffered a tear and is out for three to four weeks, so he misses Vélez.

Rodrigo Battaglia chose surgery on an Achilles problem and is expected to miss six to eight months. Carlos Palacios has right knee synovitis, he is in the final phase of rehab but will not face Vélez.

Alan Velasco has a grade two medial collateral ligament sprain in his left knee and faces one to two months out. Zeballos has a grade two to three left biceps femoris injury and is out for at least two months.

Herrera left Wednesday’s session with a grade one strain to the right rectus femoris, recovery is two to three weeks.

Source: LaNumer12.com.ar