Nicolás Otamendi, the Argentine defender who has recently joined Benfica from Manchester City, is reportedly suffering from a knee injury that could keep him out for several months.
The news was confirmed by the Portuguese club's medical staff on Monday, and it comes as a significant blow to the team's defense, which already lacks depth with the injuries to their center-backs in recent weeks.
Otamendi signed for Benfica on loan last month after spending time on the sidelines due to an ankle injury suffered during his move from City to Atletico Madrid earlier this year. He made three appearances for the club before joining Benfica on a permanent deal in January.
However, the Argentine defender is currently sidelined with a knee problem, and he will need further evaluation to determine the extent of the injury and how long he may be out.
The news comes as a major setback for Benfica, who have been struggling defensively throughout the season. The team has lost three consecutive games since Otamendi's return, and they will now be without one of their key players for an extended period of time.
The club's manager, Jorge Jesus, has expressed his disappointment at the news and has called on his team to remain focused despite the setback.
"It's always difficult when you lose a player like Nicolás," Jesus said. "But we must stay positive and continue working hard. We have a lot of quality players in our squad and we can still achieve a good result."
While Otamendi's absence will undoubtedly be felt, Benfica will also look to bolster their defense in the transfer market in the coming weeks. The club has been linked with a number of potential signings, including defenders such as Jan Vertonghen and Stefan de Vrij, but it remains to be seen whether any of these players can fill the void left by Otamendi's injury.