Atletico Madrid have had a rough start to the 2025-26 campaign, and their fortunes are not getting any better. Alex Baena has missed their last two matches due to a muscle injury, and he is now set for an extended lay-off.

Baena was projected to return after the international break, but this will no longer be the case. He has not suffered a relapse on his muscle injury, but rather, he has undergo surgery for appendicitis, as confirmed by Atleti on Tuesday evening.

“Álex Baena has been successfully operated on this Tuesday, September 2, for an acute appendicitis. The laparoscopic surgery went smoothly and the player is fine, but he will remain hospitalized for the next few hours waiting to be discharged from hospital and is pending his evolution for his return to training.”

Baena expected to return before October international break

According to Marca, it will be around four weeks until Baena is recovered from his surgery, which would mean that he’d be back in action at the start of October. In theory, he would be absent for Atleti’s next six matches: against Villarreal, Mallorca, Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid in La Liga, as well as the opening two league phase games against Liverpool and Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.

That match against Real Madrid is scheduled for the final weekend in September, so Atleti may try to rush Baena back in order for him to be available for the first Madrid derby of the season. He will certainly be needed, judging by the performances of Diego Simeone’s side during his absence so far.

It remains to be seen whether Baena will be able to play in the Madrid derby at the RiyadhAir Metropolitano. He will be focused on recovery for now, but there is no doubt that he will be desperate to face Real Madrid.