Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, is set to spend around one month on the sidelines after sustaining a muscle injury in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Roma in the Derby della Capitale, TalkTalk Nigeria reports.

The 24-year-old was forced off early in the clash, adding to the Bianconcelesti’s mounting injury concerns, with Matías Vecino and Nicolò Rovella already unavailable.

Dele-Bashiru’s setback not only dents Lazio’s midfield options but also raises concerns for Nigeria, with the Super Eagles preparing for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin Republic next month. The former Hatayspor star has made four Serie A appearances this season, gradually carving a role for himself in Maurizio Sarri’s squad.

Opinion:
This injury could not have come at a worse time—for both club and country. For Lazio, losing yet another midfielder in the midst of an already thin squad piles more pressure on Sarri’s tactical setup, especially as the club looks to find stability in Serie A. Dele-Bashiru had started showing flashes of the dynamism and physical presence that attracted Lazio to him in the first place, and this pause could slow down his momentum.

From a Nigerian perspective, the news is equally concerning. The Super Eagles’ World Cup qualifying campaign demands nothing less than full strength, and every absence matters. Dele-Bashiru’s creativity, ball-carrying ability, and youthful energy could have added an extra edge to the midfield. His doubt for the qualifiers means coach Finidi George may need to shuffle options, leaning heavily on more established names like Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi.

Yet, in moments like these, perspective is key. At 24, Dele-Bashiru is still in the early chapters of his career. If managed carefully, this injury break could be a reset rather than a setback—allowing him to return sharper and hungrier. For Nigeria, the focus must shift to ensuring depth in midfield, while for Lazio fans, patience will be needed as the team navigates this tricky spell.

In the end, both the Bianconcelesti and the Super Eagles will be hoping Dele-Bashiru’s absence is truly brief—because his growing influence is one neither side can afford to miss for long.