BACK IN NAPLES

Ruben Loftus-Cheek underwent emergency surgery for acute appendicitis in Naples on 30 March 2025, after experiencing severe abdominal pain during the pre-match camp. The operation, carried out at a local clinic, ruled out complications such as peritonitis but required roughly a month of recovery for Rubes. The surgery was successful, though it had shaken his teammates, who had grown very close to the English midfielder since he joined AC Milan in the summer of 2023. A year after that unexpected hospital trip instead of a trip to the stadium, Loftus-Cheek is now making his return in Naples. Earlier this year, on 22 February 2026, he suffered a serious facial injury during the game against Parma, fracturing his maxillary alveolar bone. Following a heavy collision with Parma goalkeeper Corvi, the Rossoneri midfielder underwent surgery.

Loftus-Cheek's return was originally expected between mid and late April 2026. But here in Naples, the England international is ahead of schedule. In the days following AC Milan v Parma, Loftus-Cheek won over the Rossoneri fans, reassuring them on social media by sharing post-surgery photos, after the injury had been described as serious given the area affected. A month and a half after that setback, he's back in Naples, the same city where he couldn't play last year due to an unexpected issue. Motivation is high, as always. As Rubes himself said in pre-match interviews: "I can play in different positions, and wherever I'm needed I'll do my best to help the team. I'm happy to do that. We have to focus on every game. The mouthguard? It's like a rubber shield: it gives me extra confidence."

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