Sandro Returns to Las Palmas Squad After 279 Days on the Sidelines
Las Palmas striker Sandro is back in the matchday squad after nearly nine months out with a serious knee injury. Here's why it matters.
After 279 days away from competitive football, Sandro is back in a Las Palmas squad — and it feels like a lot more than just a name on a teamsheet.
Nearly Nine Months on the Shelf
Cast your mind back to 18 May 2025 — that was the last time Sandro actually played a competitive match, against CD Leganés. Since then, it’s been a proper nightmare for the striker. What started as a knee problem picked up during pre-season in Marbella quickly snowballed into something far more serious.
Here’s the rough timeline of his injury ordeal:
- Summer 2025 – Knee injury in pre-season, initially expected to keep him out two or three months
- Barcelona – Went under the knife with renowned specialist Dr. Cugat for a clean-up procedure on the joint
- January 2026 – Looked close to a return, but fresh discomfort and pain forced another delay
- February 2026 – Finally back in the squad, 279 days after his last appearance
That’s a long old wait. The sort that tests your bottle as a footballer — sat in the stands week after week while your teammates are grafting for points.
Why His Return Is Such a Big Deal
Sandro isn’t just filler in Las Palmas’ attacking options. Last season in Primera División, he chipped in with nine goals and was arguably one of the most important players in the squad. That’s the kind of output that’s been sorely missed as the club navigates life in Segunda División.
His return doesn’t guarantee he hits the ground running — you’d be daft to expect that after such a lengthy lay-off — but it does give Las Palmas something they’ve been lacking: a striker who’s already proven he can handle pressure and deliver when it matters.
A Winter Signing Without the Transfer Fee
There’s a neat way of looking at this. Getting Sandro back in February, fully fit and raring to go, is essentially the same boost as a mid-season signing — except it costs the club absolutely nothing. With the promotion race in Segunda heating up, having a forward of his quality back available could genuinely shift the dynamic in the dressing room, not just on the pitch.
It’s the kind of lift that goes beyond stats and expected goals. Morale, belief, experience — Sandro brings all of that back with him.
Whether he starts straight away or eases back in from the bench, Las Palmas fans will be buzzing to see that name on the teamsheet again. After all this time, it’s well deserved.