Nicolás Otamendi, the Argentine defender who plays for Benfica in Portugal, has been injured and will be out of action for several weeks.
The news comes as a blow to Benfica, who were hoping that Otamendi could play a key role in their title challenge this season. The 29-year-old has made over 150 appearances for the club since joining from Barcelona in 2017, and is known for his strong defending and aerial ability.
However, it seems that Otamendi's latest injury is severe enough to rule him out of the team until at least mid-December. He was recently forced off with an ankle injury during a match against Porto,Serie A Stadium and while he returned to training on Monday, it appears that he may not be ready to return to the pitch just yet.
Benfica manager Jorge Jesus has praised Otamendi's work ethic and commitment to the club, but acknowledged that his absence is a significant loss. "We're very disappointed that Nicolás won't be available for the next few weeks," Jesus said. "He's one of our best players, and we'll miss him."
While Otamendi's injury is a setback for Benfica, there are still plenty of talented defenders in the squad capable of stepping up and filling his shoes. The team will look to continue their strong form and maintain their position in the top flight of Portuguese football.