Author: Monojit Mandal
After São Paulo’s recent win against Flamengo in the Copa do Brasil, striker Jonathan Calleri declared that he will need surgery on his right ankle, thus ending his playing season and putting his availability for São Paulo in 2023 in doubt. Calleri said that he has been dealing with an ankle problem for six months, since the injury he suffered in Paulistão.
Calleri emphasized his determination to overcome difficulties in a post-match interview, saying: “I was criticized a lot and they stopped believing in me.” Once again, I’ve shown that Calleri is still alive and well, having won the Copa do Brasil. Nobody knows, but I’ve been out of action for six or seven months. I’m going to stop playing right now and have surgery. I have a serious ankle injury. My goal was to become champion, and I believe I succeeded. Despite the pain, I offered my life. Nobody has known since March, but I’ve dedicated my life to this club and now I deserve to rest and recover.”
“I’ve got an ankle injury, I haven’t recovered well, the conservative treatment has allowed me to play so far, but it’s bothering me a lot,” he continued. I had already promised everyone that if we won, I would heal my ankle. I’ll start working when I win“.
The story of Calleri’s injury began during the Campeonato Paulista, when he sought conventional therapy. Despite the anguish, he went on to play a key role in São Paulo’s remarkable championship, scoring a vital goal in the first leg of the Copa do Brasil final at the Maracanã.
However, Calleri’s impact in the most recent encounter was more modest, as he focused mainly on retaining the ball in attack and didn’t have the opportunity to add to his goal tally.
The Argentinian striker began his career with All Boys and then moved to Boca Juniors, before embarking on an adventure of loans and transfers to West Ham United in the Premier League and Las Palmas, Alavés and RCD Espanyol in La Liga. Calleri returned to South America and rejoined São Paulo after his time in Europe.