Napoli’s Brazilian goalkeeper Rafael Cabral was in his home country today preparing to go under the knife.
The 23-year-old suffered an injury on Thursday night against Swansea in the Europa League.
It was later diagnosed as an anterior cruciate ligament knee injury and he is facing a lengthy time on the treatment table.
Football Italia reported that the goalkeeper was in Brazil today to have knee surgery carried out by knee specialist Rene Abdalla.
Il Mattino believe Rafael made the decision to switch his surgery from Rome to São Paulo because he has used that specific healthy facility twice before.
Rafael is expecting to remain in Brazil for two-and-a-half months whilst he recovers from surgery before returning to Naples in May.
He has only played eight times in Serie A since joining from Santos last summer. However with Pepe Reina’s loan deal due to end at the end of the season Rafael will hope to stake a claim for the number one spot next season.
The talented Brazilian keeper will look to make a full recovery and return to the Napoli side for pre-season.
