Andres Iniesta is set for a spell on the sidelines after he picked up a nasty injury in victory over Valencia on Saturday.
The Catalan giants required a last-minute penalty, converted by Lionel Messi, to take all three points away from the Mestalla but Iniesta had long been withdrawn from the game by that stage.
The midfielder lasted just 14 minutes of Barcelona’s away clash with Valencia.
As he looked to shield the ball around the centre of the park early on in the 3-2 win, his studs became jammed in the turf and his knee clearly jarred under his forward momentum.
The 32-year-old knew immediately that the damage was significant and the pain was such that he was brought to tears before the stretcher made its way to him.
Early tests indicated that Iniesta had suffered ligament damage but a timeframe for his recovery has yet to be made clear.
He joins an ever-increasing injury list at Barcelona that already includes the likes of Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Arda Turan and Rafinha.
In the latest GAA Hour, we talk to Ken McGrath of Waterford and with Declan Brennan about a new club players’ association.
