Vasco lose a player, Diniz faces a major headache picking his team | OneFootball

The FIFA Date period, which seemed to be the gateway for a young talent's affirmation, turned into a nightmare for the full-back Paulinho and Vasco da Gama. The 20-year-old player, who was to be the solution for the absence of the starters, suffered a severe foot injury. The injury will require surgery and forced the club to set up a "war operation" to have its athletes back in time for the next game.

+ Vasco gains a "new midfielder" and Diniz makes changes in the attack for the final stretch of the Brasileirão

Ligament injury requires surgery

During a training session this week, Paulinho suffered a trauma that resulted in a ligament injury in his right foot. Tests confirmed the need for a surgical procedure. He becomes the third athlete in the squad to require surgery in 2025, joining Adson and Jair. The club, as usual, did not set a timeline for his return.

The injury couldn't have come at a worse time. With starters Paulo Henrique and Puma Rodríguez called up for their respective national teams, Paulinho was the only available right-back by trade. He was the sure name to make his debut as a starter in a Brazilian Championship match, the great opportunity he was awaiting with Fernando Diniz.

Vasco sets up special logistics to "repatriate" the starters

With no options for the position, Vasco had to act quickly. The club set up special logistics to ensure the return of its selected players in time for the game against Fortaleza. Paulo Henrique will take a flight from Japan, with layovers in London and Paris, to arrive in Fortaleza on Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Puma Rodríguez will have his return from Malaysia adjusted and is expected in the early afternoon of the same day.

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