Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti set to fly out to Doha Qatar for specialised treatment on a recurring left knee injury, the Spanish champions said on Friday.
Considered one of the best centre-backs in the world, the left-footed Frenchman has played just eight games for Barcelona this season because of the recurring pain in his knee.
The 2018 World Cup winner played in the 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid at the weekend but that was his first game in almost two months due to the pain which returned after the bruising game in Madrid.
“Samuel Umtiti will follow a plan of conservative treatment with the objective of curing the discomfort in his left knee,” Barce reported on their website Friday.
“The player will travel to Doha, Qatar where he will follow this therapeutic plan under the supervision of the club’s medical services.”
Catalan sports daily Sport said Umtiti “would not play again in 2018”, claiming he would stay in Doha several weeks.
The French defender missed nearly two months with a cartilage problem, but returned to play in the 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid last weekend.
Umtiti was still feeling discomfort, however, and was not included in the team’s 2-1 win at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old has been involved in eight games so far this season, with compatriot Clement Lenglet taking his place.