Barcelona midfielder Rafinha has been ruled out for six months after undergoing knee surgery on Tuesday, the club confirmed.
The 25-year-old ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid last month and went under the knife in an effort to quicken his recovery.
Rafinha has been unfortunate with injuries in recent years and in September 2015 suffered the same injury on his right knee. Two seasons ago he was also sidelined with a meniscus problem.
It means the midfielder will be unavailable for the remainder of the season and leaves Barcelona a man light in the centre of the park.