Murillo could return in November after injury with Málaga

Málaga is starting the season without a key defender: Diego Murillo suffered a meniscus injury during the second leg of the playoff final in Almería, and the player underwent surgery on 1 July. Since then, he has been unable to train normally.

Timelines set by the specialist

Vicente de la Varga, the club’s collaborating orthopaedic surgeon, gave the recovery schedule on Radio MARCA Málaga and places Murillo’s potential return in November. The specialist said the injury involves the inner lateral ligament and the meniscus, and stressed that after a meniscus suture there is a waiting period before full weight-bearing: “a meniscus suture takes about six weeks before it can bear weight.”

Phases and risk management

De la Varga also underlined that the next steps are more than just the operation. Murillo will move through different rehab stages—first with the physiotherapy staff and then with the readaptation team—while taking into account the time needed to rejoin the group progressively.

He further explained the risks during the recovery process, especially the possibility that meniscus issues could return after he comes back to playing. “The main fear would be that he returns to play and, after some time, the meniscus problems show up again. Time matters,” he said, adding that the player is informed of the options and decides together with the medical staff.

If the plan holds—being with the group in October—November is viewed as the month when Murillo could realistically be back for matches, with Málaga hoping no setback interrupts his progress.