Kaio Jorge admits he's still playing with discomfort: “I’m recovering” | OneFootball

Cruzeiro’s victory over Boca Juniors in the Libertadores was built on the small details on the pitch, and one of the key pillars of that triumph was striker Kaio Jorge. Although he did not find the net, it was his decisive pass that set up Néiser Villarreal’s goal. After the match, the player brought up an important issue regarding his physical condition.

In the mixed zone, in an interview with ESPN, the striker admitted that he is still not playing at full fitness, highlighting the impact of the intense run of games this season.

The statement helps put the No. 9’s current situation into context. The player dealt with a problem in the pubic region in the first few months of the year and, since returning to the pitch, has been used consistently amid a packed schedule and the need for results. Even without being at his physical peak, he continues to contribute, as in the goal against Boca, where he was directly involved in building the move.

This situation is not new. Back in the Campeonato Mineiro, Kaio Jorge was already playing at his physical limit, dealing with discomfort and having little recovery time between matches. The intense schedule has also affected his attacking output: the striker has now gone six games without scoring, having last found the net in early April, in the win over Vitória.

Even so, his numbers this season remain significant. So far, he has played 18 matches, 17 of them as a starter, scoring nine goals and providing two assists, highlighting his importance to Cruzeiro’s attacking system even amid physical wear and tear.

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