Napoli warning Buongiorno could need knee surgery

Originally posted on Football Italia | By Susy Campanale | Last updated Jul 17, 2026 8:14 AM ET

There is bad news for Napoli, who announced Alessandro Buongiorno will miss pre-season due to a knee injury and could require surgery for a lengthy lay-off.

The Partenopei are starting work with new coach Max Allegri, but he is not going to have a full squad at his disposal.

Buongiorno out of Napoli pre-season

NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 04: Jonathan Burkardt of Eintracht Frankfurt battles for possession with Alessandro Buongiorno of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between SSC Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 04, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

A statement from Napoli confirmed that Buongiorno has been excluded from the pre-season training camp after tests showed his right knee injury has not fully healed.

Now a specialist consultation is required to see if a surgical option is necessary.

If he does go under the knife, the Italy international could be out of action for several months.

The 27-year-old former Torino defender was bought by Napoli for €36.5m in the summer of 2024, plus add-ons.

He already missed quite a few games last season due to an adductor issue, but the knee problem had flared up at the very end of the Serie A campaign.

Napoli are short on defenders as it is, because Juan Jesus was released at the end of his contract.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

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