The suspicions were confirmed and Flamengo will have an important absence in this final stretch of the 2009 Brazilian Championship. Midfielder Maldonado, considered by many to be one of the main reasons for the red-black team's rise in the competition, suffered a ligament injury in his left knee in the Chilean National Team's friendly against Slovakia, last Tuesday, and will have to stay away from the field for at least four months.

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The midfielder will need surgery due to a ligament problem in his left knee. As a result, he will be out of action for Flamengo for four to six months, depending on his progress. Therefore, he will no longer compete in the Brasileirão. The Chilean is expected to return to the field only in March 2010. Next Sunday, Maldonado will undergo knee surgery. Dr. José Luiz Runco, who examined him, will be in charge of the procedure.

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On Thursday morning, Maldonado arrived in Rio de Janeiro limping and complaining of severe pain at the site of the injury. However, the player did not speak to the press, and there is still no date set for his comment. Coach Andrade has already confirmed that Toró will be his replacement for the final stretch of the championship, including for Sunday's game against Goiás at Maracanã.