Vasco doctor on Jair’s knee surgery, hopeful for swift return | OneFootball

Vasco da Gama has provided an update on midfielder Jair’s condition following the serious injury he suffered during the match against Sport Club do Recife in the 2025 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. The head of the Department of Health and Performance (DESP), Gustavo Caldeira, detailed the surgical procedure and the current stage of the athlete’s recovery.

In a post on social media, the doctor explained that the player suffered a complex knee injury, considered an “unhappy triad,” which required meticulous surgical intervention and strategic planning.

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Jair celebrates a goal scored against Botafogo in the quarterfinals of the Copa do Brasil (Photo: PETER ILICCIEV/AGENCIA ENQUADRAR)

Vasco’s doctor details Jair’s surgery after serious knee injury

According to Gustavo Caldeira, Jair suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), collateral ligament injury, and meniscus damage—a combination that increases the complexity of the treatment.

— In Jair’s current case, the injury was an unhappy triad, with rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, injury to the collateral ligament, and the meniscus. A scenario that requires technical precision and a well-defined strategy. We reconstructed the cruciate ligament in its anatomical position, added extra-articular reinforcement to increase stability and protect the graft, and performed meniscus suturing, prioritizing the most physiological treatment possible — explained the doctor.

The procedure aimed not only to reconstruct the injured structures but also to ensure greater stability of the knee, reducing risks during the process of returning to sports activities.

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Jair after knee surgery (Photo: Reproduction/Instagram)

Jair is already doing field activities and has his contract renewed until 2026

According to Vasco’s DESP chief, about five months after surgery, Jair is showing significant progress. The midfielder is already doing field activities, with a stable knee and no signs of swelling.

— Today, about five months post-operation, he is already doing field activities, with a stable knee, no swelling, and consistent progress. The work is always a team effort: surgeons, physiotherapy, physical preparation, and the entire health department. We remain focused so that his return happens at the highest level — stated Caldeira.

Amid the recovery process, the club also defined the athlete’s contractual situation. In December 2025, Vasco agreed to renew Jair’s contract until December 2026, with the possibility of automatic extension for another year.

The renewal was based on the Pelé Law (Law No. 9.615/98) and the understanding of the Labor Court, which guides the maintenance of athletes’ contracts during recovery from serious injuries when treatment extends beyond the original contract period. Since Jair’s contract was until the end of 2025 and he would not be fit to return before the agreement’s end, the extension was formalized.

The internal expectation is that the midfielder will return to the pitch in 2026, fully recovered and ready to resume his important role in Vasco’s midfield.

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