Valdivia likely out for the year with knee injury

SAO PAULO (AP) Palmeiras says Chilean playmaker Jorge Valdivia has injured a left knee ligament and likely won't play again until next year.

Valdivia was injured in the second half of Palmeiras' 3-0 loss to rival Sao Paulo in the Brazilian league on Saturday.

Valdivia tried to keep playing because the team had already made three substitutions, but eventually left the field. That left Palmeiras with nine men because it had already had a player sent off.

The club said Sunday the midfielder will be sidelined for about two months.

Valdivia was plagued by muscle injuries this season but had been playing regularly recently.

Palmeiras, an eight-time national champion and this year's Brazilian Cup winner, is 18th in the 20-team Brazilian league standings, in the relegation zone.

Valdivia played for Chile in the 2010 World Cup but hasn't been called up recently.

Updated October 7, 2012