Chennaiyin FC is undergoing a difficult period as its struggle continues in the ongoing ISL season. Coach Clifford Miranda would be disappointed with the way the “Marina Machans” have performed so far during the 2025-26 Indian Super League season.
The team endured yet another loss against East Bengal on Saturday, the 11th of April, at Jawaharlal Indoor Stadium, Chennai.
The team hasn’t registered a single win in the last three games, but things have turned horribly wrong for Clifford Miranda’s side as they will miss one of their key midfielders, Elsinho, due to a knee injury for the rest of the ISL season. As per reports, the 35-year-old midfielder suffered a ruptured Medial Patellofemoral Retinaculum (MPFL) and won’t be able to play in the rest of the ongoing season. The Brazilian suffered the injury while playing against East Bengal on the 11th of April.
Midfielder’s injury puts Chennaiyin FC in a spot of bother
East Bengal dominated the match with some brilliant counter-attacking football by the forward line. The midfield also pushed hard to create chances through open play as well as set pieces. East Bengal won the match 3-1. Forward Edmund Lalrindika scored the first goal for East Bengal. A few minutes after East Bengal took the lead, Elsinho was down with pain during a one-on-one contest and had to be rushed on a stretcher as his knee was badly injured. The midfielder looked in pain and was replaced by midfielder Mohammed Ali Bemammer.
Chennaiyin FC has clarified about Elsinho’s injury and has confirmed that the midfielder has suffered from a ruptured Medial Patellofemoral Retinaculum (MPFL), due to which the Brazilian won’t be available for the rest of the ISL season. The midfielder will undergo surgery and might recover after 5-6 months.
Elsinho’s overall experience and performance in the 2025-26 ISL season
The 35-year-old veteran midfielder has experience of playing for different Brazilian clubs like Votuporanguense, Nacional, Matonense, Oeste, Rio Claro, Juarez, Celaya, Racing De Ferrol and Portuguesa Santista. The 35-year-old began his career for Jamshedpur FC at the ISL during the 2023-24 season, making 22 appearances in his first ISL season.
He started playing for Chennaiyin FC in 2024 and played 21 matches for the club during the 2024-25 season. Elsinho is a defensive midfielder, but is also a handy contributor at the back as he can turn out to be a valuable option as a centre back also.
During the 2025-26 ISL season, Elsinho played for Chennaiyin FC in all 7 matches in the ongoing season and also scored a goal against Odisha FC on the 1st of March at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. Chennaiyin FC are currently in 12th position with just 5 points in 7 matches in the ongoing ISL season, and the injury to Elsinho might affect the team’s performance in the next few games, as the 35-year-old Brazilian was a vital cog in their wheel. Elsinho was known for his offensive and defensive play.
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The midfielder’s creative sense and his ability to adjust his technique and skill to the opponent were incredible. Chennaiyin FC has so far won just 1 match in the entire season, and missing Elsinho for the remaining matches could affect their game plan as well as their combinations for the remainder of the season.
Elsinho might have played his last game for the Marina Machans as the midfielder’s contract with the club is set to expire in May 2026. The two-time ISL Champions might find it difficult to get a replacement of Elsinho’s class. The midfielder is a multi-purpose performer when it comes to his ability to create chances with long crosses or clever deft touches inside the box.
His ability to move into the scoring positions with speed and swift movements makes him a deadly finisher. Elsinho’s ability to create goal-scoring attacks during set pieces makes him a threat against the best opponents, even in difficult playing conditions. The 35-year-old has played at various levels for different Brazilian clubs, which has made him technically sharp.
His anticipation and ability to get on top of the ball quickly are second to none. Overall, the midfielder is a busy player on the field with strong work standards. Chennaiyin FC will surely miss his services.
