FC Barcelona announced on Wednesday that midfielder Philippe Coutinho suffers from a knee that will require surgery.
The club has noted that Coutinho suffered an injury on Tuesday in the side meniscus of the left knee against Eibar, so he will go through arthroscopic surgery “in the coming days”.
Coutinho, 28, is in his third season with Barca, last at Bayern Munich on loan.
Coutinho has been productive on his return to Barcelona this season with 3 goals and two assists in 14 appearances, giving him a total of 24 goals in 3 seasons with the club.
The absence of former Inter Milan and Liverpool star may be only for a Barca team that has performed well below expectations this season.
The Blaugrana, sixth in the La Liga standings with seven wins, 4 losses and 4 draws, follows Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid in seven points.
Barcelona is not used to being in the standings, having won 26 La Liga titles, adding 10 since 2005.
Coutinho left the bench for Miralen Pjanic against Eibar, and there will be more tension in Pjanic’s tastes to perform while Coutinho is away.
Barcelona, which has provided a schedule for Coutinho’s return, will face Huesca in their next match on Sunday.