Roma and Italy midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and will undergo surgery on Wednesday.
Zaniolo limped from the pitch in obvious discomfort after an innocuous collision with Donny van de Beek in Italy's 1-0 win over the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Monday.
The 21-year-old had only recently recovered from surgery on an ACL tear sustained in January, making eight appearances for Roma in the closing weeks of the prolonged Serie A season.
Italy doctor Andrea Ferretti feared the player had suffered "major" damage to his left knee – not the one he injured previously.
And on Tuesday his club confirmed those fears.
"Nicolo Zaniolo will undergo surgery on Wednesday after MRI scans today confirmed the player has suffered a complete tear to the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee," the Serie A outfit tweeted.
"The 21-year-old suffered the injury while playing for Italy against the Netherlands on Monday evening."
