Football
Associated Press 9y

Barcelona's Rafinha out for six months after knee surgery

BARCELONA, Spain -- Barcelona midfielder Rafinha will be sidelined for six months after having surgery on torn ligaments in his right knee.

Rafinha injured his leg during Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Roma in the Champions League.

The Brazilian had been expected to get more playing time to help fill the void left by Pedro Rodriguez after his departure for Chelsea this summer.

Now Barcelona coach Luis Enrique will have to manage a smaller squad until Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal can start playing when the club's one-year ban on new players expires at the end of 2015.

Barcelona have, however, asked permission to register Turan immediately to replace the injured Rafinha, according to multiple reports in Spain.

Rafinha's older brother, Thiago Alcantara, has twice needed surgery after damaging ligaments in his right leg. Thiago played for Barcelona before leaving for Bayern Munich in 2013.

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