Training stumble costs Xavi dear
Friday, December 2, 2005
Article summary
FC Barcelona's Spanish international midfielder Xavi Hernández is likely to be out for six months after damaging ligaments in his right knee.
Article body
Long-term absence
Midfielder Xavi suffered the injury when he planted his right foot awkwardly into the muddy turf at Barça's training ground and he was immediately treated by club doctors. Specialists have now confirmed the seriousness of the problem, which could rule the Spanish international out of the FIFA World Cup finals in Germany. The 25-year-old homegrown talent has played 12 Primera División games this season and has been ever-present in Frank Rijkaard's side's UEFA Champions League campaign.