Brentford’s Fabio Carvalho Faces Season-Ending ACL Surgery

Brentford FC has announced that attacking midfielder Fabio Carvalho will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The 23-year-old player will undergo surgery and has already begun his rehabilitation process at the club. Carvalho’s injury comes as a significant blow to Brentford, particularly as he had already made nine appearances this season, scoring three goals and providing one assist.

Carvalho showcased his talent in a recent match against Chelsea on September 13, where he came off the bench to score an equaliser in a thrilling 2-2 draw. His contributions on the field have made him a key player for head coach Keith Andrews, further underscoring the impact of his absence.

Impact of Carvalho’s Injury on Brentford

This marks the second significant injury for Brentford in just over a month, as midfielder Anthony Milambo also sustained an ACL injury while on international duty with the Netherlands Under-21 team in October. Milambo, who joined from Feyenoord in the summer, has also been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Since joining Brentford from Liverpool in August 2024, Carvalho has made a total of 33 appearances, netting six goals and providing four assists. His career began at London rivals Fulham, before moving to Liverpool in 2022, where he struggled to secure a regular starting position, making only 21 appearances over two seasons.

Following loan spells at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga and Hull City in the Championship, Carvalho signed a five-year deal with Brentford. The transfer was reported to be worth up to £27.5 million (approximately €32 million) including add-ons, reflecting the club’s faith in his potential.

Looking Ahead

Brentford is set to return to action this Saturday with a visit to Brighton & Hove Albion. The team will need to adjust to the loss of Carvalho and Milambo as they aim to maintain their competitive edge in the league. The club has expressed its support for Carvalho, stating, “We will all be with you every step of the way, Fábio,” in a message shared on social media following the injury announcement.

As Brentford navigates the challenges of the season, the focus will undoubtedly shift to their remaining squad members to step up in the wake of these injuries.