Eto'o ruled out for months
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Article summary
Samuel Eto'o faces five months on the sidelines after the FC Barcelona striker underwent surgery on a knee injury picked up against Werder Bremen.
Article body
FC Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o faces five months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery to repair a torn cartilage in his right knee.
Tear to the meniscus
Eto'o was carried off in the 65th minute of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League match against Werder Bremen after twisting his knee and tests revealed a tear to the meniscus. Originally doctors thought he would be out for two to three months but the damaged cartilage was repaired rather than removed, extending the time needed for a recovery.
Hot streak over
European champions Barcelona were trailing to a Carles Puyol own goal at the time of Eto'o's withdrawal but rallied to equalise through Lionel Messi in the 89th minute of the Group A tie. The 25-year-old Cameroon international, who has started the season with four goals in four Primera División games – plus one against PFC Levski Sofia on Matchday 1 – will sit out the rest of the group stage which concludes on 5/6 December.