São Paulo defender Alex Telles is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a serious ankle ligament injury in last weekend's match against Vasco da Gama.
The Brazilian international was taken off the pitch on the hour mark during the match, with his ankle heavily swollen and in obvious pain. The severity of the injury has been confirmed by medical staff, with Telles expected to be out for at least six months.
Telles joined São Paulo from Roma in January 2019 and has established himself as one of the club's key defenders. He has made over 50 appearances for the team so far this season, contributing to their impressive form and helping them secure a place in the top four of the Brazilian Serie A table.
The news of his injury comes as a major blow for São Paulo, who are already without several key players through injury or suspension. The club will now have to rely on the services of other defenders such as Gabriel Jesus and Lucas Paqueta,Campeonato Brasileiro Action as well as potentially bringing in new signings to strengthen their defense.
Despite the setback, São Paulo fans remain optimistic about their chances of success this season, and will hope that the club can bounce back quickly and continue to compete at the highest level. In the meantime, they will need to find ways to cope without Telles' contributions on the field, but there is no doubt that he remains an important player for the team.