After Barcelona forked out nearly £100 million nearly to acquire his services, Ousmane Dembele picked up a hamstring injury over the weekend with the club expecting him to be out for potentially four agonizing months.
Though the 20-year-old has provided an update on his timetable by claiming he'll be back sooner.
Dembele swapped Borussia Dortmund for Barcelona in the summer after forcing a move to the Catalans.
Dembele in action for Barcelona against Getafe. Image: PA
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He made his Camp Nou bow as a substitute, and immediately impressed the Barcelona faithfuls following his sublime assist for Luis Suarez.
Ernesto Valverde subsequently threw him into the starting XI against Getafe. Though his first La Liga start only lasted 29 frustrating minutes.
Dembele pulled up with a hamstring strain, and he's since gone under the knife to repair the damages.
Dembele hobbles off the pitch. Image: PA
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Barcelona released a statement saying the player was operated on by a specialist in Finland, with a three-four month setback slated.
"The tests have come back following first team player Ousmane Dembélé has ruptured the tendon in his femoral bicep in his left thigh. The player will be operated on by Dr. Sakari Orava in Finland this week. He is expected to be out for between three and a half months and four months."
Though Dembele is confident he'll return to action in just two months.
Dembele heads into the tunnel after suffering an injury. Image: PA
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Barcelona thrashed Eibar 6-1 on Tuesday night which included a terrific hat-trick from Lionel Messi. But the game was also remembered for the tribute shirts.
Messi and Co. were sporting 'Courage Ousmane' shirts. And following the club securing three home points, Dembele took to social media to thanks his teammates while giving an injury update.
Among the hashtags was a message that read 'I will be back in two months.'
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Two months?! Here's hoping Dembele is back on the pitch sooner rather than later.
(H/T Sport)
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