Málaga CF forward Julen Lobete has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and will miss the entire 2026-2027 season. The injury, which also involves the medial collateral ligament, occurred during a training session at La Rosaleda on September 3, as first reported by Sport.es. Sport.es first reported the story.
The player, who had just begun his second season with the Andalusian club, now faces a lengthy rehabilitation process. Head coach Juanfran Funes acknowledged the impact of the news and described what happened as one of the most unpleasant moments. This loss deals a significant blow to the team's attacking options for the current campaign.
What is Málaga CF's history with ACL injuries?
Lobete's misfortune is not an isolated case in the blanquiazul dressing room. In recent years, the club has recorded a total of five anterior cruciate ligament ruptures among four different players. Haitam Abaida suffered two, one in each knee, in November 2022 and November 2023. The first was during a match against Ponferradina at La Rosaleda, and the second in a training session.
Ramón Enríquez tore the ACL in his right knee with meniscus involvement in a match against Almería on March 1, 2025. His return to play came in April 2026, after more than thirteen months of recovery. Álex Pastor suffered his injury on August 27, 2025, during training at the annex of La Rosaleda, with a complete ACL rupture, internal meniscus injury, and a mild medial collateral ligament sprain. Pastor returned to normal training in July 2026, 319 days later.
How does this loss affect the Málaga 2026 squad?
The absence of Lobete leaves a notable gap in the forward line. The Basque player was one of the offensive options available to Juanfran Funes for the initial phase of the competition. His loss will force the manager to reconfigure his plans and likely give more minutes to other members of the squad.
The team now faces a stretch of the season with a long-term absence in a key position. This situation tests the depth of the roster and the club's ability to manage adversity. Fans can check the full status of the injuries list to follow the progress of all players.
What medical procedures have been followed in these cases?
The treatments for these serious injuries have been complex and personalized. In Haitam Abaida's case, he underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the quadriceps tendon with lateral reinforcement and meniscal suture at Vithas Málaga Hospital. Each player has required a specific rehabilitation protocol, tailored to the extent of the injury and their physical characteristics.
Recovery times have varied, from Álex Pastor's nearly eleven months to Ramón Enríquez's more than thirteen. Julen Lobete now faces a similar process that will keep him off the pitch until well into 2027. The club's medical staff has experience managing these cases, although the repetition of such serious injuries in a relatively short period is a cause for analysis.
Málaga CF's next official fixture is a league match scheduled for the weekend of September 13, according to the calendar available on our fixtures page.
