Santiago Arias can almost already put an end to the current season. Bayer Leverkusen announced on Saturday evening that the defender, who is being hired from Atlético Madrid this football year, suffered a fracture in his left calf and dislocated his ankle in the World Cup qualifying match between Colombia and Venezuela (3-0). Arias’s expected absence is estimated at six months.

After a few minutes after a duel with Darwin Machis, Arias got seriously injured in the left ankle and was in pain. Many players could not bear the sight of the injury and started crying. Machis received a red card from the referee on duty, but after interference from the VAR, this card was withdrawn.

Further investigation in Colombia has revealed the seriousness of the injury and Arias has now also gone under the knife. The Colombian’s long absence is a hard blow for Peter Bosz’s Bayer. Arias has participated once so far: ninety minutes in the 1-1 draw at VfB Stuttgart.

“I have no words to describe how I feel. I lie when I say I feel good, but I can’t say the opposite either. I am disappointed ”, Arias responded via Instagram. “This is another ordeal that I will face and that will make me stronger. I promise to work hard and return soon and stronger and wear the colors of Colombia and Bayer Leverkusen again. ”