The 22-year-old was taken to hospital in Buenos Aires after a bad foul by his opponent who jumped into Palacios's back with his knee. The medical department at Bayer 04 is in close contact with the Argentinian doctors. Palacios will initially remain in the Argentina capital for further treatment.
"Exequiel is in good hands and our doctors will keep in close contact. But we will bring him back to Leverkusen as soon as possible so he can start rehab in our Werkstatt where we have the best options for his speedy recovery," said Bayer 04 sporting director Simon Rolfes. "For us, but obviously particularly for Exequiel, it's a heavy blow. We will give him all the support he needs to come back stronger from this serious injury."
After Rio de Janeiro, it's off to Thuringia: This summer, Bayer 04 Leverkusen will prepare for the 2026/27 football season in Germany. While Brazil was the destination last year, the Werkself will now set up their training camp in Blankenhain, just outside Erfurt, from 1 to 7 August 2026.
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Four Bayer 04 players are in action at the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations being played in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January 2026: Eliesse Ben Seghir for the hosts, Edmond Tapsoba with Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Maza for Algeria and Christian Kofane with Cameroon. Updates on the AFCON matches involving Werkself players...
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Due to the last-minute postponement of the Bundesliga match between Hamburg and the Werkself on Tuesday, 13 January, Bayer 04 will reimburse the ticket price to all 3,500 fans who had already travelled to Hamburg as a sign of appreciation. The tickets remain valid for the rescheduled match (date not yet set).
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without centre-back Edmond Tapsoba in the coming weeks. The Burkina Faso international returned to the Werkself from the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco with a muscle injury.
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The Bundesliga fixture between Hamburger SV and Bayer 04 Leverkusen has been postponed at short notice.
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