MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – Peñarol club has confirmed that midfielder Leonardo Fernández will undergo surgery due to a knee injury, which will keep him off the field for an indefinite period.
The aurinegra institution announced, through an official statement, that the medical examinations performed determined the need for surgery in the coming days. The recovery process will be monitored, but it has already been confirmed that Fernández will not be available for the next Copa Libertadores match.
Fernández’s injury occurred during the final minutes of the match against Independiente Santa Fe, in the first matchday of the continental tournament. This situation also prevented him from participating in the local championship match against Liverpool de Montevideo.
Peñarol, under the direction of Diego Aguirre, will face Platense this Thursday at the Campeón del Siglo stadium, in a crucial match for their aspirations in the tournament, where Corinthians, the current group leader, also competes.
Fernández’s absence represents a harsh setback for Peñarol, as the attacking midfielder is one of the team’s key figures and a fundamental element in the creation of play. In recent seasons, he has been decisive in the club’s successes, including the conquest of the Uruguayan league in 2024, where he was crowned top scorer, and other local titles such as the Torneo Intermedio, the Clausura and the Supercopa Uruguaya.
The 27-year-old footballer initially arrived on loan from Toluca before being acquired permanently, establishing himself as one of the most influential players in Uruguayan football.
Peñarol will now have to adjust its offensive scheme while awaiting the recovery of its main playmaker, whose absence will be felt both locally and internationally.
