Benfica lose Barrenechea to knee surgery ahead of Porto clash
Sporting Lisbon-based Benfica confirmed on Saturday that midfielder Enzo Barrenechea will undergo surgery after rupturing the meniscus in his left knee. The injury rules the Argentine out of Sunday's Clássico against FC Porto and is expected to sideline him for six to eight weeks.
The club announced that Barrenechea suffered a sprain to his left knee, which resulted in the internal meniscus rupture. He will have surgery in the coming days and then begin rehabilitation.
Silva's midfield reshuffle
Head coach Marco Silva had already flagged the player as a doubt on Saturday, telling reporters that Barrenechea had picked up the injury during Friday's training session. "We are analysing the situation, he will travel, tomorrow we will do more analysis, at this point we still don't know," Silva said in his pre-match press conference.
The Argentine had started seven of Benfica's first eight games this season, forming a partnership with Leandro Barreiro in the early weeks. His absence opens the door for Portugal international João Palhinha, signed from Bayern Munich for €14M plus €5M in add-ons, to step into the starting eleven.
Investment tested by injury setback
Barrenechea arrived at the Lisbon club in July 2025 on a €3M loan from Aston Villa that included an obligation to buy for a further €12M. That clause was triggered in October 2025 after he reached 15 appearances. The total investment of €15M reflected Silva's confidence in a player who had been considered surplus at the English club.
In his debut season at the Estádio da Luz, Barrenechea scored two goals and provided one assist in 43 appearances, helping the team win the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. His market value stood at €12M as of May this year.
The midfielder has previously dealt with significant injuries, including an anterior cruciate ligament rupture in May 2021 while at Juventus U23, which kept him out for nine months. The Argentina international expressed his frustration on social media but vowed to work toward a swift return.
Benfica face FC Porto at the Estádio do Dragão on Sunday in a match valid for matchday seven of the Liga Portugal.
