BARCELONA: Barcelona have suffered a major blow as right-back Aleix Vidal will miss rest of the season after suffering a dislocated right ankle that will keep him out for five months.
Vidal was injured with just three minutes to go of Barca’s 6-0 rout at Alaves on Saturday when he came off worst in a challenge with on-loan Atletico Madrid defender Lucas Hernandez.
Barca said in a statement that the 27-year-old has been transferred to a hospital in Vitoria and a dislocation to the right ankle that required reconstructive surgery has been confirmed.
“The approximate downtime will be about five months.”
🏥 The negative note to today’s game was a serious ankle injury suffered by Aleix Vidal. Latest news: https://t.co/qn2H5o7TfQ #AlavesFCB pic.twitter.com/DQSjkFIyKH
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 12, 2017
Vidal had only just recently fought his way back into Barca boss Luis Enrique’s plans after being cast aside for large parts of the opening half of the campaign.
“I am upset by Aleix’s injury, the way it came about and what it means for him,” said Enrique.
“I hope it doesn’t turn out to be as bad as it looks,” added Barca midfielder Ivan Rakitic.
“I was quite shocked. Hopefully he’ll be back soon as he is a great guy and he was playing excellently.”
We love you Vidal ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/zUAI4mGl3e
— Neymar Messi Fans ⚽ (@Fc_barcelona_Gr) February 12, 2017
