Barcelona defender Pique suffers knee injury

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - Barcelona defender Gerard Pique suffered a knee ligament injury, the Spanish football powerhouse said on Thursday.

"The medical assessment and tests performed this morning have shown that first team player Gerard Pique has a sprain in the internal lateral ligament of his right knee,” the team said in a statement. "He is therefore unavailable and the evolution of the injury will determine when he returns."

The Spanish central defender played in the Copa del Rey, or Spanish King's Cup, semifinal on Wednesday against Sevilla.

Pique's header in injury time sent Barcelona to extra time as the result of the regular time was 2-0 for Barcelona.

Barca qualified for the final by beating Sevilla 3-0 in the second leg.

Sevilla won the first leg 2-0 to have an advantage but Barcelona won 3-2 on aggregate over Wednesday's victory.

Pique, 34, is a longtime Barcelona player, winning eight Spanish La Liga titles and three in the UEFA Champions League in 2009, 2011 and 2015.

He helped Manchester United win the 2008 Champions League.

Pique also claimed the English Premier League title with Manchester United in 2008.

He was an integral member of the Spanish national team's 2010 FIFA World Cup championship squad.