Barca's Fati facing long layoff following surgery

Barcelona forward Ansu Fati will be sidelined for about four months after undergoing knee surgery on Monday, the club said.

The 18-year-old Fati tore the internal meniscus in his left knee in Barcelona's 5-2 win over Real Betis in La Liga on Saturday. He was replaced at halftime after not recovering from a challenge by Aissa Mandi inside the area. The club said Fati's surgery was successful.

Fati has emerged as a key player for Ronald Koeman's Barca side this season, scoring five goals and notching two assists in 10 matches.

The injury had already ruled Fati out of Spain's upcoming games against Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany after he was named in Luis Enrique's squad last week. Real Madrid's Marco Asensio has been called up in his place.

Xinhua - Agencies