UEFA Champions League contenders FC Barcelona will be without the services of defender Marc Muniesa for the next six months after the 20-year-old tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee.

The Barça youth-team product – who made three senior appearances for his club last term – suffered the injury in the second half of the Blaugrana's 2-1 pre-season friendly victory against Hamburger SV. He is set to undergo surgery to repair the damage in his right knee before beginning a rehabilitation programme that is expected to continue into 2013.

The news will also come as a blow to Spain Under-21 coach Luis Milla who will be without Muniesa for the reigning champions' final Group 5 qualifying games away to Switzerland and at home to Croatia in September.

Tito Vilanova's Barcelona – who enter the 2012/13 UEFA Champions League at the group stage – kick off their Liga season at home to Real Sociedad de Fútbol on the weekend of 18/19 August.