Barcelona midfielder Rafinha is set to miss the rest of the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the 1-1 draw away to Atletico Madrid last night.
The Brazilian international came on for the injured Sergi Roberto at the start of the second half and despite ending the game, he was clearly in discomfort at the Wanda Metropolitano.
“FC Barcelona’s medical services have confirmed that Rafinha has torn his left anterior cruciate ligament,” the club revealed on their website on Sunday, adding that the player will undergo surgery in the coming days.
The 25-year-old suffered a similar injury in his right knee in September 2015 and was also sidelined with a meniscus problem in the spring of 2017.
Rafinha, who started in the home wins against Inter Milan and Real Madrid during Lionel Messi’s absence with an arm fracture, is set to miss the rest of the season and must also be doubtful for the Copa America in Brazil next summer.
With the player now unlikely to feature again in 2018-19, Barca could consider bringing in a replacement.
