Real Madrid star Kaka is expected to be out of action for two months as he requires knee surgery.
Kaka has been struggling with the problem for some time and Real have decided to send him for further tests with a view to an eventual operation.
“After medical exams and several further tests we suspect that he is suffering from a lesion in his meniscus which may require keyhole surgery,” Real said in a statement.
Real added, however, the groin strain from which Kaka has been suffering, and which hindered his first season in Spain, had shown “clear signs of improvement”.
Real coach Jose Mourinho is not worried about losing Kaka and feels they have enough cover to cope without the Brazilian.
“If we lose him for some time it’s no drama, we have other players and that’s it,” he said. “But he’s one of the best players in the world.”
