Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra will miss the rest of the season after learning that he will have to undergo knee surgery. The Malian international originally suffered the injury while on duty for Les Aigles against Chad on October 11, but returned to action two weeks later. However he aggravated the injury in a recent La Liga match, and is now expected to remain on the sidelines for anywhere between six and nine months.
Diarra’s unavailability will hit Real Madrid badly, as the Spanish giants are currently having a massive injury crisis currently.
Diarra will also miss Mali’s final round of qualifiers for the World Cup as well the African Cup of Nations.
Real will play Barcelona on Sunday in an El Classico where the Catalans are firm favourites going into the game.