Chivas confirms it’s bad news for Campillo: how long will he be sidelined?
Chivas Guadalajara has confirmed that injured defender Diego Campillo will be absent for a significant period.
What should have been a celebratory night for Chivas Guadalajara turned costly. Despite a commanding 4-1 win over Atlas in the Clásico Tapatío, the club confirmed late Monday that center back Diego Campillo will miss the rest of the Apertura 2025 due to injury.
What injury does Campillo have?
The news, which had been circulating since Sunday via sources close to the club, was made official by Chivas leadership: Campillo suffered a foot fracture that will sideline him for the remainder of the tournament.
Campillo set for months-long layoff
According to the club’s statement, Campillo underwent surgery on Monday. The procedure was deemed successful, but no specific recovery timeline was provided. However, injuries of this nature typically require two to three months of rehabilitation, meaning Campillo won’t be available even for the Apertura 2025 postseason.
“The Sports Science Department of Club Deportivo Guadalajara reports on the condition of Diego Campillo, who experienced discomfort during Matchday 15 of the Apertura 2025. During last weekend’s Clásico Tapatío, Campillo felt sudden pain in his left foot,” the club stated.
“Following imaging studies, a fracture of the fifth metatarsal was confirmed. He underwent surgery, which was successful. Starting tomorrow, he will begin rehabilitation, and his return to competition will depend on his recovery progress,” the statement concluded.
Campillo’s absence is a major setback for head coach Gabriel Milito, who had made the defender a key piece of his system this season. Campillo returned to Chivas for the current campaign after a stint with FC Juárez, who had recently acquired him. Impressed by his development and tactical fit, Chivas activated a buy-back clause to bring their homegrown talent back into the fold.
Versatile and dynamic, Campillo has also played as a defensive midfielder but had recently locked down the right center back role in Milito’s three-man backline. His ability to push forward and contribute to the attack made him a unique asset - one whose qualities will be hard to replace.
Se confirmó una fractura del 5to metatarsiano en el pie izquierdo de nuestro Rojiblanco, Diego Campillo. Se sometió a un procedimiento quirúrgico, el cual resultó exitoso.
— CHIVAS (@Chivas) October 28, 2025
Su avance será sujeto a evolución. ¡ESTAMOS CONTIGO, 'Campi'! 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/2D03Dw7xMF
Who will replace Campillo for Chivas?
The coaching staff is now evaluating options ahead of Sunday’s matchup against Pachuca. Gilberto “Tiba” Sepúlveda appears to be the most straightforward replacement, capable of slotting directly into the right center back role. Another possibility is shifting Miguel Tapias to the left side, allowing José Castillo to move to the right.
A more unconventional option would be deploying midfielder Daniel Aguirre in central defense - a role he filled during preseason and early in the tournament.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment