Felipe Carballo will not play again this season. The Uruguayan midfielder for the Portland Timbers, on loan from Grêmio, confirmed on his social media that he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. The injury happened during the 1-1 draw against Minnesota United away from home, and it prematurely ended his 2025 MLS campaign. It was only his second game for the American club.
An injury that changes plans
The severity speaks for itself. Treatment requires surgery and months of recovery. In the best-case scenario, he could return in six months, but history shows that nine months is more common. That means the season is already lost. For Carballo, the setback is even greater because his loan to the Timbers, which runs until December, was his chance to get back into rhythm and show his value in American soccer.
He had made his debut on August 23 in a goalless draw against San Diego. A few days later, the injury ended any chance of adapting or fighting for a place.
In a post on Instagram, the midfielder was straightforward: “I have to face one of those pieces of news no soccer player wants to hear: a torn cruciate ligament. Some injuries hurt beyond the physical.” His words show the psychological weight of the moment. This kind of injury also demands mental strength to get through months of uncertainty.
The challenge off the field
Carballo is only 28 and still has a lot of soccer ahead of him, but he knows recovery will take time. The uncertainty now is where he will do his rehab. His deal with Portland ends in December, and the club had an option to buy. With the injury, that is unlikely to happen. It is up to Grêmio to decide whether to handle his recovery or work out another solution.
In his post, the player showed resilience: “Life sometimes shakes us unexpectedly, but it has also taught me that every obstacle has meaning, and from the hardest blows we learn to rise stronger. This road will be long. I face it with patience and resilience, with the conviction that everything happens for a reason, and always for the better.”
His statement shows he understands what lies ahead but also makes it clear that this season has become a blank page. The Timbers lose a player on the field, while Carballo faces a test of endurance. This may turn out to be the hardest challenge of his career.