Official: Marco Asensio ruptures ACL and meniscus
The 20-year old scored the equaliser against Arsenal only to then be stretchered off the field in tears, creating a new problem for Zidane.
Real Madrid's second game of their pre-season tour in the United States resulted in a win, but could leave a serious dent in the plans of Zinedine Zidane for the upcoming season. Marco Asensio had only been on the pitch against Arsenal for around 20 minutes when he injured his left knee ligaments. Real Madrid have confirmed that the resulting assessment shows that the player has ruptured his ACL and the external meniscus of his left knee and that he is likely to miss most of the season.
Asensio injury: operation imminent
"It's worrying," Zidane said about the injury after the match. "He's gone directly to the hospital for tests but it looks bad." The club announced on Wednesday that the 'serious injury' would be operated on in 'the next few days'.
The boy from the Balearics had come on in the second half and scored the equaliser before stumbling and falling to the ground, reaching for the knee joint. It was immediately clear to Los Blancos' bench that it could be serious. Courtois, was quick to get to his teammate and signalled that a change was needed, as Asensio put his hands to his face and was taken off on a stretcher in tears.
In the changing rooms the initial medical evaluation took place, and early reports had suggested that it was a tear to the knee ligaments.. As soon as the penalty shootout was over, one that Madrid won, Asensio left the FedExField in an ambulance for hospital.
With the attacking midfielder expected to miss much of the season, questions are now being asked about whether the planned departures of both Dani Ceballos and Gareth Bale will be reversed. As both are now well down the line, it may be too late for a u-turn on either.