Thiago Mendes ‘to miss’ Vasco’s Carioca semi-final against Fluminense after knee issue | OneFootball

Thiago Mendes is likely to miss Vasco’s Campeonato Carioca semi-final against Fluminense on Sunday, after suffering knee pain in training. Medical assessment has been carried out and scans showed no serious joint damage, but he now requires complete rest.

Podcast Cruzmaltino reports that the midfielder will be sidelined this weekend. Head coach Fernando Diniz loses the cornerstone of his midfield screen and is racing to pick a replacement for the clássico.

His absence underlines structural flaws in Vasco’s planning, with the team already playing 10 times and pushing key players early in the year.

Mendes featured in eight and, amid repeated selection, developed chronic joint fatigue. He started against Maricá, Flamengo, Boavista, Mirassol, Chapecoense, Botafogo, Bahia and Volta Redonda.

Supporters on social media have labelled the case a clear planning error, and Diniz may turn to Base Forte prospects to bolster midfield on Sunday.

The 33-year-old joined in July 2025 on a permanent deal to December 2027 after leaving Al-Rayyan, arriving in Rio needing to sharpen fitness. He regained full condition and became a regular at the end of the last Campeonato Brasileiro.

Mendes dictates tempo in the centre and helps build from the back with precise passing, posting strong tackle and interception numbers since his debut. His enforced absence disrupts Vasco’s defensive structure against an in-form rival.

Source: PaponaColina