Betis captain Aitor Ruibal to miss start of La Liga season after knee surgery

Real Betis captain Aitor Ruibal is set to miss the start of the upcoming La Liga season after undergoing surgery on his right knee. The 30-year-old footballer is expected to be sidelined for at least the first three league matches scheduled for August, according to club and medical sources.

Ruibal underwent the operation on May 15 in Barcelona to address a meniscus issue that had plagued him during the latter half of the previous season. He made the decision to proceed with surgery after Betis mathematically secured fifth place in the league, ensuring their qualification for the Champions League, thus concluding his participation in the final matches of the campaign.

Medical sources have indicated that Ruibal's recovery period will likely range between three and four months. This timeline suggests that, in the best-case scenario, he might be available for selection in early September. However, his return could be further delayed as he will not be able to participate in pre-season training, which is crucial for building match fitness.

Despite the injury, Ruibal was a key player for Real Betis during the recently concluded season. Under the guidance of Chilean coach Manuel Pellegrini, he accumulated 2,704 minutes across 42 official appearances. During this time, he contributed five goals and provided four assists, highlighting his importance to the team's offensive efforts.

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Aitor Ruibal, one of the captains of Betis, will miss at least the first three league matches in August due to the convalescence from the operation on his right knee that he underwent on May 15 in Barcelona.