Football
Adriana Garcia 7y

Sergio Asenjo to miss rest of Villarreal season with torn left ACL

Villarreal have confirmed that Sergio Asenjo's season is over after the Spanish goalkeeper ruptured his left anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Asenjo came off in the 34th minute of his team's 3-2 home defeat to Real Madrid shortly after making a save from French forward Karim Benzema's powerful header.

It is the fourth ACL injury of his career. A club statement said: "Tests done to Sergio Asenjo have confirmed that the goalkeeper has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

"Villarreal wishes to give its total support to the player and wishes him a speedy and successful recovery."

Asenjo had started in 29 games in all competitions for Villarreal and will have to undergo surgery.

In 2015, Asenjo had been sidelined for seven months after suffering a third ACL rupture on right knee.

"Unfortunately, it's terrible news," Villarreal coach Fran Escriba said of Asenjo's latest setback.

A former Villarreal player, Santi Cazorla, was among the first to send his well wishes to the goalkeeper.

The Arsenal midfielder, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury since Oct. 19 and is unlikely to play again this season, tweeted: " Sergio Asenjo, how unfair is this sport with certain people. All my support at this difficult time, you are an example of perseverance."

Villarreal forward Roberto Soldado knows what Asenjo is going through with the former Tottenham player having recently returned to playing six months after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament and external meniscus in his right knee.

Soldado tweeted: "We battle against everything. Head up. I hope we have you back with us soon Sergio."

Andres Fernandez is expected to replace Asenjo in goal when Villarreal take on bottom-side Osasuna in Pamplona on Wednesday.

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