Alexander Bah, the Brazilian forward who was signed by Benfica in January 2019, has been ruled out for up to three weeks due to a serious injury sustained during his loan spell at Real Sociedad.
The midfielder suffered an Achilles tendinitis that affected his patellar tendon and ligaments, which were injured when he was involved in a collision with fellow player David Silva in the second half of their match against Real Betis on February 24th.
Benfica confirmed the news on Wednesday afternoon, stating that they had received a notification from the medical staff regarding the severity of the injury. The team's official statement read: "We are very disappointed to inform you that Alexander Bah, a member of our squad, has been ruled out for up to three weeks with an Achilles tendinitis. This is a serious injury that we have been monitoring closely."
It is not yet clear how long Bah will be out of action, but it is expected to be a significant setback for the Portuguese international. He has made over 70 appearances for the club this season and has scored six goals in those games.
The club's manager,Football Fans Gathering Camp Jorge Jesus, expressed his disappointment in a statement released by the club on Thursday, saying: "We are all heartbroken by the news. It is a very serious injury for us and we wish him well in his recovery."
Bah is currently in Portugal for treatment, but he remains hopeful that he will be able to return to action soon. His absence will be felt particularly acutely by his teammates and supporters, as they await his return and the start of their preparations for the upcoming season.
In the meantime, Benfica will look to find someone else to step into the void left by Bah's departure. They have already announced the signing of two new players, including defender Jairo Moreira, who was also part of the team that won the UEFA Europa League last season.