Earlier today, FC Barcelona issued an official statement confirming that young reserve-team defender Patricio Pacifico had undergone successful surgery after rupturing his ACL.
“Barça Atletic player Patricio Pacifico underwent successful surgery on Monday for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, an injury he sustained during a match against UE Olot on April 19,” the statement read.
“The procedure was performed at the Hospital of Barcelona and was carried out by Dr. Joan Carles Monllau, under the supervision of the Club’s Medical Services.”
As mentioned in the statement, Pacifico, who joined Barça Atletic on loan from Defensor Sporting in January, suffered the ACL injury last month during the league game against UE Olot.
Providing an update on his recovery period, the statement added: “The expected recovery time will be about 12 months.”
Barcelona wish to extend Pacifico loan
Prior to his injury, Barcelona were working on activating the purchase option to make Pacifico’s signing permanent after being impressed by the young left-back.
Despite the setback, Barcelona would like to retain Pacifico beyond the end of the season, when his current loan deal expires, reports SPORT.
The Catalan club value his immediate impact and adaptation since arriving in the winter transfer window, and, as such, the idea is for him to remain in Barcelona and be part of the medium-term project.
Although the Uruguayan player’s loan expires at the end of the current season, both Barcelona and Defensor Sporting are working on different options for him to remain with the Blaugrana and complete his recovery under the supervision of the club’s medical staff.
While nothing has been finalised at present, one idea from the player’s representatives, which has already been communicated to the club, is to extend the loan by one more year until the summer of 2027.
Although the estimated recovery period can vary significantly, the club believe the player could return in around eight months, which would place his comeback at the beginning of 2027.
In this way, he would have the second half of the season to regain form, return to competing at the highest level and reinforce the positive impressions he had made before injury. The intention is to have this situation well advanced before the end of the season.
