MADRID, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Atletico Madrid have confirmed that their left back Reinildo Mandava has had a successful operation on the cruciate knee ligament that he snapped during Saturday's derby against Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
The Mozambique international suffered the injury after falling badly as he tussled for the ball with Real Madrid's Federico Valverde in the first half of the game, which ended 1-1.
He was carried from the field on a stretcher, and after the game, Atletico coach, Diego Simeone informed the press that the 29-year-old had damaged the cruciate ligament of his right knee.
The club has now informed the public that the player has had a successful operation but will be out of action for between six and eight months (depending on his recovery time), meaning he will miss the rest of this season and possibly the start of the 2023-24 campaign.
Mandava joined Atletico from the French side, Lille in January 2022 and since then has impressed with a series of rigorous defensive displays and he had been one of his side's best performers this season. ■
