Barcelona's Rafinha set to miss most of season with knee injury
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 16: Rafinha of FC Barcelona leaves the field after clashes with Radja Nainggolan of AS Roma during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between AS Roma and FC Barcelona, at Olimpico Stadium on September 16, 2015 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)
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.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}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.