Málaga forward Júlio Baptista has strained a hamstring muscle in his left leg and will be out of action for up to three weeks.
The 31-year-old Brazilian, nicknamed ‘the beast’, only returned from a 16 month layoff at the start of February, following an injury to his right foot and ankle which later required surgery.
Baptista will now be laid up for two to three weeks, according to Spanish media reports, after he pulled up in training on Tuesday.
The former Real Madrid and Arsenal man will therefore miss the visit of second-placed Atlético Madrid in La Liga this weekend, as Málaga look to cement the fourth and final European spot.
The Spanish outfit will also be without Baptista for their second leg clash with Porto in the last 16 of the Champions League on March 13, which Manuel Pellegrini’s side trail 1-0 on aggregate.
Following his return to action in a 1-1 draw with Real Zaragoza, Baptista said: “Many times I have dreamt of returning. I did not know how it would be. I was like a child, nervous.
“After all this time it was incredible for me. After suffering so much, I enjoy it more. I will now try to enjoy it more.
“Can I avoid a relapse? Right now things are going fine. I’m training well, at the rhythm of the team and now I have to rediscover my shape, with minutes, to help the team.”
Source: Globo
