Juventus, Yildiz Concern: There Is a Risk of Surgery

After the disappointment of Turkey’s early elimination from the 2026 World Cup, Kenan Yildiz has begun his recovery period. The Juventus prospect has chosen to return to his roots, spending his summer vacation in Regensburg, Germany—the city where he was born—to find peace of mind and spend time with his family after several particularly intense weeks.

This break, however, will not be merely a time for mental respite. The World Cup once again highlighted the physical issues that have affected the performance of the 2005-born player, who has long been struggling with patellar tendinopathy in his knee—a condition that continues to cause discomfort and must now be addressed once and for all. The priority at this stage is to avoid any overexertion and allow the joint to recover. Already during his stay in the United States, Yildiz had followed a specific program of therapies and treatments to reduce the pain, a process that will continue throughout the summer break.

According to Tuttosport, his return to Continassa is expected around July 20, approximately three weeks after his last match at the World Cup—a game in which the Bianconeri’s number 10 remained on the field for 84 minutes, gritting his teeth despite his physical difficulties. Upon his return to Turin, Juventus’ medical staff will conduct further examinations to accurately assess the condition of his knee and establish an appropriate training program. The upcoming season promises to be particularly demanding for the Bianconeri, with a schedule that could exceed 50 official matches, and starting the season free of physical issues will be crucial.

For this reason, the possibility of surgery has not been completely ruled out. At this point, surgery remains only a possibility and not a decision that has already been made, but it could represent the definitive solution to resolve the problem at its root. The final decision will be made by the player together with his entourage and the club. Any surgery, however, would also affect his return timeline: Juventus might have to wait longer before having their star player back, slowing down his integration into the new season.