Brazilian club Fluminense announced that its Argentine coach, Luis Zubeldía, will undergo scheduled cardiovascular surgery this Saturday. The procedure is not urgent but could impact his availability for the team's debut in the Campeonato Carioca on January 14. The nearly 45-year-old coach has led the club successfully since September.
Luis Zubeldía, Argentine coach of Fluminense, will undergo heart surgery this Saturday, according to an official statement from the Rio de Janeiro club released on January 9, 2026. The procedure is scheduled and not urgent, though the team did not specify the nature of the cardiovascular issue. Zubeldía, who turns 45 on January 13, began preseason on January 2 with an initial group of players, including Lezcano, Riquelme, and Igor Rabello, and the full squad joined on January 8.
Since taking over in late September after leaving São Paulo, Zubeldía has managed 18 matches with a record of 11 wins, three draws, and four losses. Under his leadership, Fluminense secured direct qualification for the Copa Libertadores and reached the semifinals of the Copa do Brasil, where they were eliminated by Vasco da Gama. Born in La Pampa, the coach debuted with Lanús and has worked at clubs such as Racing Club, Barcelona SC, Santos Laguna, Liga de Quito, Deportivo Alavés, Cerro Porteño, and Independiente Medellín.
The club stated: “The coach will undergo a cardiovascular intervention. If the need for treatment is identified after the procedure, he must rest for seven days. If there is no such medical decision, he will resume training command on Monday.” This has raised concerns in South American football, as the Campeonato Carioca debut against Madureira is set for January 14. Fluminense will play four Taça Guanabara matches before the Brasileirão starts on January 28 against Grêmio, and they will be in the Libertadores draw on March 18.
