Madrid - Argentine defender Mateo Musacchio will miss the rest of the season after suffering a broken ankle in Villarreal's 1-1 draw with Getafe on Sunday.
The 24-year-old had only come on as a second-half substitute, but the visitors ended the game with 10 men as Musacchio's left ankle buckled as he tried to make a clearance 13 minutes from time after they had already made all three substitutions.
"The game pales into insignificance. I didn't think Mateo's injury was so grave, but when I got close to the stretcher I saw there was blood and I was afraid," said Villarreal coach Marcelino.
"The images disturbing. We hope that the operation goes well and between us all we will help him in his recovery."
Musacchio had been linked with a big money move to the Premier League after another impressive season with the Yellow Submarine.
However, Spanish media reported that he now is expected to be out for the next five months.