Richard Ríos rejects surgery to help Benfica and keep World Cup hopes alive | OneFootball

Richard Ríos has opted against surgery on a dislocated right shoulder to aid Benfica’s run-in and keep his 2026 World Cup hopes alive, according to Glorioso 1904.

The midfielder will follow conservative treatment, a route that avoids a lay-off likely to have ended his season.

He wants to help Benfica in domestic and European objectives, and he is focused on being ready for the World Cup finals. Surgery would have meant a lengthy recovery, potentially jeopardising his prospects with Colombia.

In the best-case scenario, he should miss only five matches, against Rio Ave, Juventus, Estrela da Amadora, Real Madrid and Tondela. His recovery will be checked daily to stabilise the joint without more invasive measures for now.

The aim is to have him back for a decisive February meeting with Alverca. José Mourinho’s staff view him as a key figure, particularly in physically demanding games, and the player’s sacrifice is intended to shorten timelines for the team’s needs.

This season Ríos, valued at 22 million euros, has played 32 times for Benfica, 16 in the league, 10 in the Champions League, three in the Portuguese Cup, two in the League Cup and one in the Super Cup. Across 2,622 minutes he has scored three goals and delivered two assists.

Source: Glorioso 1904