Rovella insists Lazio agreed to avoid surgery, but Sarri suggested otherwise | OneFootball

Nicolò Rovella has broken his silence to confirm he is ‘forced to undergo surgery’ for a sports hernia, but insists ‘there are many inaccurate things being said about me.’

The Lazio and Italy international midfielder has been struggling with a recurring issue since last season and has been out of action since the Derby della Capitale against Roma on September 21.

He was advised to undergo surgery, as hinted by coach Maurizio Sarri, and preferred to try conservative treatment, which failed to yield results.

Rovella gives his version

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – JULY 31: Nicolò Rovella of SS Lazio during the SS Lazio trainig session pre-season on July 31, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

“Unfortunately, I am now forced to have surgery,” wrote Rovella on his Instagram Stories.

“I am reading many inaccurate things being said about me. The only truth is that after Sassuolo and the derby, where I played in critical condition and gritting my teeth, I had a lengthy consultation with the medical staff, the club and my family, and together we agreed to opt for conservative treatment that had positive results in many other cases, and above all would’ve sped up the recovery time.

“It had seemed to work, I got back on the pitch to train hard, but unfortunately the pain returned and, at this point, surgery becomes necessary.

“It will take a little while longer, but I am already counting down the days to when I can get back on the field and fight for these colours and these fans that I love.

“We’ll see each other soon. Always Forza Lazio!”

ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 09: Nicolò Rovella, Mario Gila and Claudio Lotito attend the the SS Lazio new store unveiling on October 09, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)

This version of events does not seem to fit with what Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri said in late October.

In a press conference, he was asked about the Rovella situation and made it very clear this was not what the club had intended for his treatment.

“Medical choices are individual, so nobody can force a young man to have an operation. He decided not to have the surgery and I hope it can be resolved conservatively.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport had also written last month that Rovella was repeatedly going to his preferred doctor in Turin, rather than letting the Lazio medical staff oversee the full treatment.