( dpa ) - Spanish giants Atletico Madrid said Thursday night that midfielder Thiago Motta would be out of action for around three months, after an operation on his left knee.
The Brazilian midfielder underwent an arthroscopy on his left knee on Thursday at the Vail Valley clinic in Colorado, United States, with damaged cartilage being removed.
Motta, 25, will convalesce in Colorado for two weeks before returning to Madrid.
His career has slumped since September 2004, when he tore both of the ligaments in that left knee.
Motta has played in only six Spanish league matches since joining Atletico from Barcelona eight months ago.