Santiago – Universidad de Chile faces a challenging start to the 2026 season, with Francisco Meneghini’s squad struggling to uncover consistency. A growing list of injuries, including those to recently acquired players, is compounding the difficulties for the Chilean club. Among those sidelined is forward Octavio Rivero, whose ongoing knee issues are raising concerns about his availability for a significant portion of the season.
Rivero has featured in only two matches for Universidad de Chile, accumulating a mere 92 minutes of playing time without finding the back of the net. However, the extent of his knee injury, a sinovitis in his right knee, has become a more pressing issue in recent days. Reports indicate a potential need for surgery, which would sideline the Uruguayan striker for an extended period.
The situation surrounding Rivero is complex, with a surgical intervention becoming increasingly likely if the inflammation in his knee persists. A potential operation would necessitate a recovery period of approximately 120 days, effectively ruling him out for the entirety of the first half of the 2026 season, according to reports from RedGol.
Rivero’s Injury and Potential Surgery
The Universidad de Chile medical staff are currently working to assess Rivero’s condition and determine the best course of action. According to Francisco Meneghini, the club is monitoring the situation closely, hoping to have the forward available for the match against Coquimbo on March 14th, as reported by La Nación. However, the possibility of surgery looms large.
Rivero was reportedly feeling discomfort during training in Peru, and while he initially showed improvement, the inflammation returned before the match against Huachipato. He was subsequently held out of the game against Palestino and San Luis, and continues to be unavailable for selection. He was again omitted from the squad for today’s match against Universidad de Concepción, marking his fourth consecutive absence due to the injury.
Impact on Universidad de Chile’s Attack
The absence of Rivero adds to the challenges facing Meneghini in building a potent attacking lineup. The coach has several options available, including Eduardo Vargas and Juan Martín Lucero, as noted in TNT Sports, but Rivero’s potential absence for the first half of the season represents a significant setback.
Rivero previously played in Chile with Colo Colo between 2016 and 2018, where he won the 2017 Transición Tournament, the 2016 Copa Chile, and the 2017 and 2018 Supercopa. During his time with Colo Colo, he made 62 appearances and scored 23 goals, also providing eight assists. He also had a stint with Unión La Calera in 2021, scoring eight goals in 20 matches, and with Unión Española between 2023 and 2024, where he scored four goals in 13 appearances.
Universidad de Chile will face Universidad de Concepción tonight, Monday, March 9th, at 8:00 PM at the Estadio Nacional. This match is part of the sixth matchday of the 2026 Primera Liga.
The situation surrounding Octavio Rivero remains fluid, and the club will continue to monitor his progress. A decision regarding potential surgery will be made in the coming days, which will ultimately determine the length of his absence and impact Universidad de Chile’s attacking options for the remainder of the season. The club will undoubtedly be hoping for a positive outcome, but the possibility of a prolonged layoff for the experienced striker is a growing concern.
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