Athletic Bilbao just got some tough news. Midfielder Benat Prados will miss the rest of the season. His club shared the update earlier today. This is a real blow for Athletic, especially as they prepare to face Sporting in the Champions League this year.
The Basque club released a statement clearing things up. Prados, 24, actually tore a ligament in his left knee. Doctors first thought it was just a sprain. This means he is out for the entire 2025/26 season. It’s much worse than anyone first expected.
Prados was a regular starter for the team last season. He will have surgery very soon. His recovery will begin right after that. He now joins defender Unai Egiluz on Bilbao’s long list of serious injuries. Both players face extended time off the field. This puts a real strain on the squad’s depth.
Athletic Bilbao is one of eight clubs Sporting will play in the 2025/26 Champions League league phase. Their match is set for January 28 next year. It will happen in the Basque Country. That game marks the eighth and final matchday of the group stage. Losing a key player like Prados makes that upcoming challenge even harder.