Flamengo's Alan Franco is set to miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a knee injury during the team's match against Corinthians on Sunday.
The Brazilian forward, who has been in fine form this season, was forced off in the second half of the match and underwent surgery on his injured knee on Tuesday.
Alan Franco, who joined Flamengo from Santos last summer, has scored eight goals in 17 appearances for the club this season.
His absence will be a significant blow to the team as they look to secure a top-four finish in the Brasileirao league and potentially qualify for the Copa Libertadores next year.
Despite the setback, Flamengo manager Jorge Jesus remains optimistic that Alan Franco will make a full recovery and return to action soon.
"We're going to do everything possible to get him back,Primeira Liga Hotspots" said Jesus. "He's a very important player for us and we'll work hard to bring him back."
In the meantime, Flamengo will need to find a replacement for Alan Franco in their attacking line-up, with the likes of Diego Valeri and Bruno Henrique among those who could step up and take on the responsibility of scoring goals.
However, it remains to be seen whether Alan Franco will be fit enough to return to the pitch before the end of the season or if he will have to miss out altogether.
Regardless of the outcome, Alan Franco's injury is a major setback for Flamengo and the wider football community, but the team will continue to support each other through this difficult time.