Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli could be sidelined for about six months after medical examinations confirmed a serious meniscus injury sustained against Milan in Serie A.
The 28-year-old midfielder will require surgery, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, with the length of his rehabilitation expected to keep him out for a significant part of the season.
Initial assessments had suggested Locatelli might miss approximately three months. However, further examinations revealed that the damage to his meniscus was more serious than first feared, and the longer recovery period is now considered a possibility.
Locatelli suffered the injury during Juventus' recent Serie A match against Milan. The problem was serious enough to require specialist assessment, and the subsequent findings confirmed that an operation would be necessary.
A recovery lasting around six months would represent a major setback for both the player and Juventus. Locatelli is the club's captain and his absence would leave the team without an important midfield presence for an extended period.
The midfielder had been involved in three matches for Juventus this season and had recorded one assist. His projected lay-off would therefore interrupt his campaign after just three appearances.
The expected rehabilitation period remains an estimate, but the need for surgery means Locatelli is certain to spend a substantial amount of time away from competitive action. Juventus will now have to manage his absence while he begins treatment and works towards a return.
The latest diagnosis has overturned the earlier expectation that he would be unavailable for roughly three months. Instead, the club faces the prospect of being without its captain for twice as long, depending on how his recovery progresses after the operation.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the worst concerns over the injury had been confirmed. Locatelli's meniscus damage is considered a complicated problem, and surgery is now required before he can begin the rehabilitation process.
No shorter return timeline has been established in the information available, while the estimated six-month recovery underlines the seriousness of the injury. For now, Juventus must prepare for a lengthy period without their captain, who has contributed one assist in his three appearances this season.