Struggling Palmeiras will have to do without midfielder Jorge Valdívia for the rest of the season after the Chilean playmaker suffered a medial ligament injury in the 3-0 defeat to São Paulo on Saturday.
Valdívia, 28, sustained the injury to his left knee 30 minutes into the second half of Saturday’s derby at Morumbi, but with his team already down to 10 men as Artur had already been sent off, he was forced to try and continue to the final whistle.
However, with the pain too severe, Valdívia hobbled off with 10 minutes remaining and his team finished with just 9 men on the pitch.
The club website released a statement on Sunday declaring that, after medical examination, it is expected that the player will be out of action for around 2 months, but with the Brasileirão to conclude in early December, it is unlikely he will return until next season.
Valdívia is currently in his second spell with Palmeiras. He left in 2008 to sign for UAE Pro-League side Al Ain and stayed for 2 seasons before returning to Palmeiras in 2010.
