De Ketelaere risks 5 week injury lay-off with Atalanta after surgery | OneFootball

Reports suggest that Atalanta star Charles De Ketelaere will be sidelined for around four to five weeks after undergoing surgery on his knee earlier this week.

Atalanta have recently confirmed that De Ketelaere has had a procedure carried out to repair damaged meniscus cartilage in his knee.

The Belgium international was originally included in the starting line-up for Atalanta’s eventual 2-1 victory over Cremonese in Serie A on Monday evening, but felt something in his knee during the warm-up and was forced to drop out of Rafaelle Palladino’s side at the last minute. He was replaced by Lazar Samardzic.

VERONA, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta looks on during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and Atalanta BC at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on December 06, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Now expected to miss around a month of action, Atalanta are likely to be without De Ketelaere for a tough run of fixtures, beginning with Lazio in Serie A on Saturday, a Champions League play-off double against Borussia Dortmund over the next two weeks, and further league matches against Napoli, Sassuolo, Udinese and potentially Inter as well.

What Atalanta said about De Ketelaere operation

BERGAMO, ITALY – OCTOBER 22: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta BC looks o during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and SK Slavia Praha at Stadio di Bergamo on October 22, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Atalanta BC announces that Charles De Ketelaere has undergone arthroscopy of his right knee for selective internal meniscectomy,” read a statement on the club website.

“The surgery, performed by Professor Ezio Adriani at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS in Rome, was perfectly successful.

“The player will immediately begin the rehabilitation program.”