Pezzella to miss rest of the season after rupturing his ACL

River Plate defender German Pezzella, world champion with Argentina in Qatar 2022, has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, according to the medical report released by the club on Sunday, meaning he will miss the rest of the season.

Following medical tests carried out on the player after he was injured on Saturday during a match in the Argentine league, the serious nature of the injury was confirmed, with the player expected to take between six and eight months to recover.

This complicates the situation for River Plate in the Copa Libertadores, which returns this week with the first leg of the round of 16. In addition, Pezzella will miss the final matchday of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup; however, Argentina have already secured their place at the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

"Stay strong and get well soon, German," the Nunez club posted on its social media accounts on Sunday.

The former Betis player was injured on Saturday during the match between Independiente and River Plate at the Libertadores de America Stadium in Avellaneda, which ended in a goalless draw.

Towards the end of the first half, the defender committed a foul on Walter Mazzantti and, in that unfortunate action, his knee suffered a forced movement that left him lying on the pitch.

The footballer from Bahia Blanca (province of Buenos Aires) was quickly attended to and asked to be substituted, leaving the pitch in tears as his teammates approached him. At the end of the match, Pezzella left the stadium with difficulty walking.