Deportivo La Coruna striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will undergo surgery on his right knee on Thursday, September 24, after suffering a meniscus injury during the club's 1-1 LaLiga draw against Real Betis. The 37-year-old Gabon international had been enjoying an impressive return to Spanish football, scoring five goals and providing two assists in his opening seven league appearances.
Aubameyang sustained the injury during Sunday's meeting with Real Betis at the Estadio de Riazor. He had initially been left out of Deportivo's starting line-up after reportedly dealing with the effects of a virus that had affected members of the squad. However, he was introduced in the second half as Antonio Hidalgo's side searched for a winning goal.
The subsequent tests confirmed damage to the external, or lateral, meniscus, leading the club to opt for surgery. Deportivo confirmed that Aubameyang will undergo the operation at the Olympia Centre in Madrid under the care of orthopaedic specialist Manuel Leyes. The club said his recovery will determine when he can return to group training.
The operation will be performed by Manuel Leyes, with the striker expected to be discharged from hospital later the same day before returning to A Coruña to begin his rehabilitation. Reports from Spanish media indicate that Aubameyang could be sidelined for approximately six weeks to two months if his rehabilitation progresses without complications.
The injury represents a setback at an unfortunate moment for Aubameyang, who had quickly established himself as Deportivo's leading attacking figure following his arrival from Marseille during the summer. His contribution has been particularly important to Deportivo's encouraging start to the campaign, with the newly promoted side occupying seventh position after the opening rounds of the season.
Aubameyang's form has been one of the early talking points of Deportivo's return to LaLiga. The experienced striker joined the club after his spell with Marseille and immediately demonstrated that he could still make a significant contribution at the highest level of Spanish football. His five goals in seven matches had placed him among the early standout performers for Deportivo.
Despite reports suggesting that Aubameyang could be back within six to eight weeks, Deportivo have not formally committed to a recovery schedule. The club's medical statement makes clear that the timing of his return to group training will depend on how he responds to surgery and rehabilitation. For now, the immediate priority is the surgery and subsequent rehabilitation.
Key points
- Aubameyang's injury could keep him sidelined for approximately six weeks to two months.
- Aubameyang had scored five goals and provided two assists in his opening seven league appearances for Deportivo.
- The injury represents a significant setback for Deportivo, who will have to manage the period without their leading scorer.
