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Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain defender David Luiz has been ruled out of the high voltage clash against Real Madrid due to a knee injury. The centre-back picked up the knock on International duty during Brazil’s 2-0 defeat to Copa America holders Chile in a 2018 World Cup qualifier on the 10th â??of this month. Luiz is expected to be out of action for at least a month.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender, 28, took a knock to the knee after a challenge with Chile's Eduardo Vargas during Brazil's 2-0 defeat to the Copa America winners.
The defender also missed the subsequent qualifier against Venezuela at home as he returned to Paris to start his rehabilitation. Brazil bounced back from the defeat to Chile as they won the game 3-1 helped by a brace from Chelsea’s Willian. He was replaced by PSG teammate Marquinhos.
"Defender David Luiz has left the squad," read a statement released by the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF).
"He was examined and assessed by doctor Rodrigo Lasmar, and it was found that he will not recover in time to face Venezuela at the Arena Castelao in Fortaleza.
Speaking to the media, David Luiz’s agent confirmed the amount of time his client would be spending on the sidelines.
"The doctor of the Seleçao reckons it'll be four weeks before David can return to training," the defender's agent told Le Parisien newspaper.
Luiz injury a blow to PSG
The injury to David Luiz will be a cause of considerable concern for PSG manager Laurent Blanc since the defender is an integral part of his first team and his partnership with Brazilian national teammate Thiago Silva has been instrumental in keeping PSG at the top in Ligue 1.
He will be particularly missed when Spanish giants Real Madrid visit Paris for their potentially crucial group stage encounter on the 21st âÂ?Â?this month. The match assumes great importance as the winner of the tie would be able to steal a march over the other in finishing the group as leaders. The loss of Luiz would certainly be a dent in the chances of the Parisian outfit to secure a victory over the La Liga leaders.
PSG also have Ligue 1 tricky clashes against St Etienne, Rennes and Toulouse over the next month.
The 27-year-old Brazilian moved to Paris Saint-Germain from Premier League outfit Chelsea in 2014 on a five-year contract and cost PSG a whopping £50million which made him the most expensive defender in the history of the game.
