The air went out of the stadium when Nélson Semedo went down. Just 16 minutes into the crucial Champions League playoff second leg against Benfica at Estádio da Luz, the defender knew something was wrong. He had to leave the game, and now we know the full extent of that early exit. It’s a tough blow for both the player and his club.
Fenerbahçe officially announced this Saturday that Semedo is dealing with a muscle injury. Specifically, it’s in his left groin. The team shared this news, confirming the fears that arose when he limped off the field. The Turkish club stated that Semedo will begin treatment right away to get back on his feet. An MRI scan, conducted at Medicana Sağlık Ataşehir Hospital, helped pinpoint the exact issue after he took a knock during the match.
This injury comes at a particularly rough time for the Portuguese international. Semedo had already missed out on a spot in Roberto Martínez’s squad. He was not called up for the upcoming World Cup 2026 qualifying matches. Portugal is set to face Armenia and Hungary in those important games. Now, with this new muscle issue, any chance of a late call-up or a quick return to international duty is firmly on hold while he focuses on recovery.