Real Madrid fear Marco Asensio has suffered cruciate ligament damage in his left knee and will miss the majority of next season, reports MARCA.
Asensio was stretchered off in tears towards the end of Madrid’s penalty shoot-out win over Arsenal during their pre-season tour of the United States on Tuesday.
The Spain international had scored to help Madrid come from 2-0 down before falling awkwardly under no pressure in the 64th-minute.
Asensio is due to undergo more tests this week to discover the full extent of his injury but Madrid are fearing the worst.
The 23-year-old was looking to bounce back this season after a thoroughly disappointing campaign last term and this injury has come at the worst possible time.
With Asensio facing the prospect of nine months out injured, Madrid could sensationally pull the plug on Dani Ceballos’ impending departure.
Ceballos is currently in England to formalise a season-long loan move to Arsenal, against whom Asensio was injured, but may need the talented midfielder to fill the void left by Asensio.
After a few stunning breakout years for Madrid, Asensio became something of a forgotten man at Madrid last season and made just 19 league starts for Los Blancos.
He only scored one league goal in 30 league appearances in total but was backed for another big season by Zinedine Zidane, who returned to the club at the end of last term.
