Diego Llorente’s Resurgence: A Key Player’s Comeback After Injury

In mid-April of last year, during a crucial La Liga match against Villarreal at the Benito Villamarín, Real Betis faced a significant setback. The team, under Pellegrini’s management, suffered a defeat that severely hampered their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. Compounding this disappointment was the serious muscle injury sustained by key player Diego Llorente.

The central defender from Madrid suffered a severe proximal tendon injury in the left hamstring. He had to travel to Finland for surgery, performed by specialist Dr. Lempainen, which involved the reattachment of both affected tendons. The prognosis was grim, dictating a recovery period of at least four months that excluded him from the remainder of the season and raised concerns about his readiness for the 2025-26 preseason.

Long-term injuries often lead to subsequent minor issues upon a player’s return, and Llorente has faced such challenges throughout the current season. He missed the return to competition at the end of August, made his season debut in mid-September, but had to pause after just 45 minutes on the field. Since then, he has fluctuated between being a substitute and a starter, mostly participating in the Copa and Europa League, with only three appearances in La Liga until yesterday.

In his fourth start of the domestic competition at the Metropolitano, paired with Natan as central defenders, Diego Llorente showcased his solid, reliable, and competitive nature. With 14 clearances, four duels won, one blocked cross, and a ball recovery, he effectively helped his team neutralize an opponent who had recently scored five goals against them.

While he faced jeers from the Atlético supporters after some altercations with Baena, Llorente remained unfazed, demonstrating his strong character on the pitch. Unfortunately, he experienced a moment of misfortune when, attempting to disrupt Griezmann, he inadvertently directed a header towards his own goal. However, VAR intervened, disallowing the French striker’s goal due to offside, allowing Llorente to complete one of his best performances of the season.

This resurgence is undoubtedly positive news for the coaching staff. Last season, Diego played 42 matches, accumulating over 3,300 minutes. So far this season, he has only participated in 15 matches but surpassed 1,000 minutes yesterday. His performance, coupled with the fact that the serious injury from April and its aftermath seem to be behind him—having last missed a game due to physical issues over a month and a half ago—positions him as a vital asset for the remainder of the season, with critical objectives ahead.