Napoli warning Buongiorno could need knee surgery | OneFootball

There is bad news for Napoli, who announced Alessandro Buongiorno will miss pre-season due to a knee injury and could require surgery for a lengthy lay-off.

The Partenopei are starting work with new coach Max Allegri, but he is not going to have a full squad at his disposal.

Buongiorno out of Napoli pre-season

NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 04: Jonathan Burkardt of Eintracht Frankfurt battles for possession with Alessandro Buongiorno of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between SSC Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 04, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

A statement from Napoli confirmed that Buongiorno has been excluded from the pre-season training camp after tests showed his right knee injury has not fully healed.

Now a specialist consultation is required to see if a surgical option is necessary.

If he does go under the knife, the Italy international could be out of action for several months.

The 27-year-old former Torino defender was bought by Napoli for €36.5m in the summer of 2024, plus add-ons.

He already missed quite a few games last season due to an adductor issue, but the knee problem had flared up at the very end of the Serie A campaign.

Napoli are short on defenders as it is, because Juan Jesus was released at the end of his contract.