Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward Lionel Messi is set to undergo surgery on his injured knee in the coming weeks, according to reports from France.
The Argentine superstar has been out of action since suffering a serious ankle ligament injury in December, and was forced to miss PSG's last match against Lille earlier this month.
However, it seems that he will be sidelined for longer than initially thought as he prepares for surgery.
According to reports, the operation will be performed by renowned surgeon Jean-Pierre Claverie at the Paris Clinic hospital, with the aim of repairing the damage to Messi's knee ligaments.
It is not yet clear when the surgery will take place,Serie A Stadium but it is expected to be carried out in the coming days or weeks.
While there is no word yet on when Messi may return to the pitch, fans and players alike have expressed their support for the player, who has been one of the most influential figures in French football over the past decade.
Messi has scored 15 goals and provided seven assists in 16 appearances for PSG this season, helping them to maintain their lead at the top of the league table.
Despite his injury, Messi remains a key player for PSG and has been instrumental in helping the club reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
His absence could potentially impact PSG's chances of winning the competition, but the team will undoubtedly look to find a replacement for him during his recovery period.