MADRID — Barcelona midfielder Rafinha is expected to miss most of the season because of a torn ligament in his right knee.
Barcelona said Thursday that tests confirmed the ACL tear and the Brazilian is expected to undergo surgery in the next few days.
The club did not say how long it expects the player to be sidelined, but such injuries usually require more than six months of recovery time.
Rafinha was injured just a few minutes after coming on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw against Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Rafinha made his debut in the Brazilian national team in a friendly against Costa Rica earlier this month and was expected to play in South American qualifying for the World Cup in October.
