Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio has expressed his disappointment after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury which will keep him sidelined throughout the 2019-20 campaign.
The 23-year-old was forced off on a stretcher after picking up a severe knee injury during Real's 2-2 draw with Arsenal in Maryland on Wednesday.
Asensio will require a complicated operation on his left knee and looks likely to miss nine months of action.
Taking to social media earlier this week, the Spain international said: "I began this season with renewed hopes, looking after even the last tiny detail of my preparation so that this would be a great season for all the Madrid fans and for myself.
"At the highest points in life, you can have an unexpected stroke of bad luck and suddenly everything changes. It is hard to accept everything these days, but I begin another personal challenge in my life. I still trust that this will be a great season.
"Your messages of support and loving gestures give me even more strength to face this challenge."
Asensio broke into the Real first team during the 2016-17 season, scoring the club's fourth goal in their Champions League final victory over Juventus, and has since made 135 appearances for the club.
Los Blancos' shaky pre-season was placed under a heavy spotlight after Zinedine Zidane's men were beaten 7-3 by Atletico Madrid on Friday.
