Barcelona have suffered a blow on the injury front during the Club World Cup semi-final against Al Sadd on Thursday after attacker David Villa sustained a fractured tibia in the game and is now expected to face a six-month lay-off.
Villa featured from the start in the match against the Asian Champions League holders, but was forced to leave the pitch after 39 minutes of play after picking up a leg injury.
The Spain international was immediately taken to a hospital for examination and Barcelona have now announced on their official Twitter account that Villa has a fracture in the tibia of his left leg.
It’s not yet known exactly how long the former Valencia star will be out of action but a six-month recovery is expected, putting his Euro 2012 campaign with Spain in jeopardy. Villa will undergo further tests later on Thursday before a decision is made on the forward’s treatment.
Barcelona were leading Al Sadd 1-0 when Villa departed the match. They will meet Santos in the final of the Club World Cup on Sunday if they emerge victorious.