After missing all of 2026, Carlos Palacios eyes return v Cruzeiro | OneFootball

Carlos Palacios has put a long ordeal with his right knee behind him, returning to full training with the group after his surgery in February, and he could be added as a key option for the crucial Copa clash against Cruzeiro.

Players returning keep arriving at the training ground after the Apertura elimination. Along with the expected boost in attack with Edinson Cavani’s recovery, another fundamental piece is back, one the team had not been able to count on at all this year. Carlos Palacios completed another normal training session, leaving his injury behind and now seemingly available to return to the pitch.

The Chilean forward’s ordeal began at the start of the year, which led him to undergo surgery on February 23 due to chronic synovitis in his right knee. That procedure kept him completely out of official competition: he missed absolutely every match Boca has played so far in 2026.

The Chilean is fit to return.

To grasp how long he has been inactive, you have to go back to December of last year to find his last appearance in the blue and gold shirt, fittingly in another painful defeat that meant elimination from the Torneo Clausura against Racing.

That long wait has come to an end. In recent days, Carlos Palacios has been gradually taking part in training with the group again. First, he was actively involved in the small-sided football sessions, testing the joint without feeling pain. And confirmation of his full medical clearance came in today’s practice, where he completed the intense finishing drills alongside his teammates.

Carlos Palacios awaits his chance

With the focus on the key match against Cruzeiro on Tuesday, May 19 at La Bombonera, the Chilean’s return could give the team some individual spark as it looks to recover its best attacking form. Now, the final decision on whether he will get minutes from the start or wait for his turn on the bench will depend exclusively on the assessment of the coaching staff led by Claudio Úbeda.

Carlos Palacios will have a hard time finding his place in the team again.

The coach must decide the squad list and who will play against the Brazilians in a key match in Copa Libertadores Group D. Boca need a win to keep their chances of qualifying for the round of 16 alive and stay in the continental competition.

Keep reading:

Boca took a 2-0 lead in the series against Oberá and will look to seal qualification at La Bombonerita

Boca’s tactical evolution: from defensive solidity to attacking boldness

He’s back: Edinson Cavani has been medically cleared and could feature against Cruzeiro

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