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Knee injury to keep Barca midfieldr Rafinha out for the season

Xinhua, September 18, 2015 Adjust font size:

FC Barcelona will be without attacking midfielder Rafinha Alcantara after it was confirmed that he had broken the cruciate ligament in his right knee.

The incident happened just moments after Rafinha had entered Wednesday night's Champions League tie against Roma (which ended in a 1-1 draw) as a second half substitute.

He was the victim of a bad tackle from behind from Roma player, Radja Nainggolan and had to leave the pitch on a stretcher.

The fact Rafinha had to leave the game in such a manner immediately started alarm bells ringing and the extent of the injury was confirmed on Wednesday morning.

His loss is a double blow for Barcelona, who cannot inscribe any new players to cover for his loss until January as the result of a transfer ban imposed by FIFA and it is possible the club may ask the governing body of World football for permission to inscribe summer signing Arda Turan ahead of time to compensate for Rafinha's loss.

Ironically Rafinha has suffered the same injury as his brother Thiago Alcantara suffered shortly after leaving Barca to join Bayern Munich just over two years ago. Endit