Vasco regular returns from injury, Diniz already has a replacement | OneFootball

Vasco da Gama begins the 2026 season with a medical concern carried over from the end of last year. The left-back Lucas Piton, the undisputed starter in his position, is still recovering from a medial collateral ligament injury in his left knee, suffered on December 2, 2025. The issue, which already kept him out of the Copa do Brasil final, is also expected to sideline him for the first rounds of the Campeonato Carioca.

+ Behind-the-scenes decisions may impact Vasco's planning for the season

Piton’s Recovery at Vasco

Although the club has not publicly set a firm deadline, the internal estimate is that the player will be away from the pitch for at least a month from the date of the injury. With Vasco’s state championship debut scheduled for January 15 against Maricá (at São Januário, 9:30 p.m.), Piton’s presence is considered “highly unlikely.”

The player needs not only to heal the ligament inflammation but also to regain physical conditioning, as he has not participated in ball activities for weeks. The expectation is that he will return to training during the pre-season, but his reintegration into matches will be gradual.

Lucas Piton was injured in the match against Mirassol – Photo: Reproduction

Homegrown Solution and Alternative Squad

To cover the absence, coach Fernando Diniz is expected to maintain the strategy used at the end of 2025: improvisation. The Uruguayan Puma Rodríguez, who usually plays on the right and recently renewed his contract until 2027, is the favorite to take the spot on the left.

It’s worth noting that Vasco is not prioritizing the search for reinforcements for this position in the market, trusting in Piton’s recovery and Puma’s versatility. Moreover, due to the tight schedule (the team played until December 21), the tendency is for the club to start the Carioca with an alternative squad, made up mostly of youth academy players, gradually introducing the main players.

Puma Rodríguez will replace Piton once again – Photo: Matheus Lima/Vasco

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