Simão Rocha Returns to Action Almost a Year Later
24 Jul 2026
Simão Rocha is back on the pitch almost a year after his last appearance.
The full-back suffered an injury that ruled him out for virtually the entire previous season, but through hard work and dedication he has overcome it and is gradually returning to full fitness.
The 25-year-old Portuguese defender enjoyed an outstanding debut season with CFR Cluj in Romania in 2024/25 before suffering the injury in July, right at the start of his second campaign with the club. He made just two appearances in 2025/26, but he is now back in action.
His return came in the Romanian league match against Oțelul, where he played the final seven minutes. It may have been a brief cameo, but it was a significant moment after such a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
On Thursday, he took another important step by playing the entire second half of Cluj's UEFA Conference League qualifying match against Armenia's Alashkert FC, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Step by step, Simão Rocha is getting back to doing what he does best and looks set to deliver a season worthy of the high standards he had already established among the Cluj supporters.
The full-back suffered an injury that ruled him out for virtually the entire previous season, but through hard work and dedication he has overcome it and is gradually returning to full fitness.
The 25-year-old Portuguese defender enjoyed an outstanding debut season with CFR Cluj in Romania in 2024/25 before suffering the injury in July, right at the start of his second campaign with the club. He made just two appearances in 2025/26, but he is now back in action.
His return came in the Romanian league match against Oțelul, where he played the final seven minutes. It may have been a brief cameo, but it was a significant moment after such a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
On Thursday, he took another important step by playing the entire second half of Cluj's UEFA Conference League qualifying match against Armenia's Alashkert FC, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Step by step, Simão Rocha is getting back to doing what he does best and looks set to deliver a season worthy of the high standards he had already established among the Cluj supporters.
