Cruzeiro striker Gabriel Pec undergoes surgery for leg fracture
Gabriel Pec, a forward for Brazil's Cruzeiro, suffered a fracture to the left tibia during the club's 2‑1 victory over Internacional on July 22, 2026. The injury occurred thirteen minutes into the second half after a clash with Internacional defender Victor Gabriel. Pec was taken to Hospital Orizonti in Belo Horizonte, where he underwent surgery on the morning of July 25, performed by the club's doctors Sérgio Campolina and Rodrigo Vaz, assisted by orthopedist Gustavo Waldolato. Cruzeiro said his rehabilitation will be managed by its health and performance department, but no official return date has been set; medical staff estimate a recovery period of three to six months. The incident also triggered a disciplinary proceeding. The Superior Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva scheduled a hearing for Victor Gabriel on July 28, 2026, where he could face a suspension of up to six months (180 days) for the violent play that caused Pec's injury.