Arzani surgery scheduled for day Socceroos tackle Lebanon

Sidelined Socceroo Daniel Arzani is expected to undergo knee reconstructive surgery next Tuesday, on the very day he was hoping to line up for his country against Lebanon.

Arzani

Daniel Arzani after suffering an injury on debut for Celtic Source: Getty Images

But when his teammates run out in Sydney for Tim Cahill’s farewell match, the 19-year-old prodigy will be in Barcelona to go under the knife of celebrated orthopedic surgeon Ramon Cugat.

The Spaniard was handpicked by Pep Guardiola to oversee Arzani’s recovery, with the gifted winger facing up to nine months out after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee 18 minutes into his debut on loan at Celtic.

Cugat, whose star-studded clientele includes the likes of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, David Villa and Guardiola himself, was immediately alerted by parent club Manchester City when Arzani suffered the crushing blow.

Cugat, whose surgical techniques include the use of stem cells, is renowned for fast-tracking the recoveries of players and there is cautious optimism that Arzani might be fit by mid-May, if all goes well.

The 67-year-old Cugat, a one-tine junior player at Barcelona, made the final diagnosis and determined Arzani’s treatment plan, which begins with surgery and four weeks of initial rehabilitation in Barcelona.

Mother Maryam and father John will fly to Spain to support him, with Maryam to stay on for the full duration of his stay.

Cugat has made it clear that no risks will be taken during the recovery period, with the chance of another rupture enhanced in younger patients.

It’s unclear at this stage where Arzani will spend the bulk of his rehabilitation.

Manchester City will make a final call on whether he will be monitored and treated at the Etihad, by Celtic’s physicians or allowed to return to Australia where he has access to the sports science expertise at former club Melbourne City and the Socceroos medical staff.

“It’s bad news for a young boy just making his way in the game and everything possible will be done to manage things correctly, so he gets the best possible outcome,” a well-informed source in Glasgow said.

“There might be a chance for him to come home to continue his recovery, but that’s not been decided yet.

“The most important thing is to get the surgery out of the way and take it from there.

“Daniel is of course very disappointed but will certainly put this behind him and return strongly.”


Share
Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service. Read more about Sport
Have a story or comment? Contact Us

Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Tour de France, Tour de France Femmes, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España, Dakar Rally, World Athletics / ISU Championships (and more) via SBS On Demand – your free live streaming and catch-up service.
Watch nowOn Demand
Follow SBS Sport
3 min read
Published 14 November 2018 5:42pm
By Dave Lewis

Share this with family and friends