Lazio midfielder Cataldi confirms surgery was successful

Lazio and Italy midfielder Danilo Cataldi has gone under the knife to resolve a long-standing sports hernia injury.

He had been struggling all season with the recurring problem and had not featured after the Coppa Italia semi-final against Atalanta on April 22.

Like his Lazio teammate Mattia Zaccagni did last year, he waited until the end of the season to have the surgery, hoping it will allow him to make a full recovery and be ready once the pre-season training begins on July 13.

Cataldi had the operation in Barcelona with specialist surgeon Ramon Cugat, and will return to Italy later this week for the recovery process.

His Instagram Stories included an image of him giving the thumbs up from the clinic bed, writing ‘All OK.’

He turns 32 in August and made 30 competitive appearances for Lazio this season, contributing three goals and three assists.

When he returns, it will be with a new coach, because Maurizio Sarri terminated his contract by mutual consent today.

It is widely reported that Gennaro Gattuso has agreed to take over at the Stadio Olimpico next season.