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Piqué Likely Out for Several Months Because of Knee Injury

Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Barcelona v Villarreal - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - December 2, 2018 Barcelona's Gerard Pique celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Albert Gea
Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Barcelona v Villarreal - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - December 2, 2018 Barcelona's Gerard Pique celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Albert Gea
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Piqué Likely Out for Several Months Because of Knee Injury

Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Barcelona v Villarreal - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - December 2, 2018 Barcelona's Gerard Pique celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Albert Gea
Soccer Football - La Liga Santander - Barcelona v Villarreal - Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain - December 2, 2018 Barcelona's Gerard Pique celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Albert Gea

Gerard Piqué is expected to be sidelined for several months because of a right knee injury.

Barcelona said on Sunday that Piqué has a grade-three sprain of his internal lateral ligament and a partial injury to his anterior cruciate ligament. The club did not say how long the defender is expected to be sidelined, but similar injuries tend to require months of recovery time.

Piqué got injured on Saturday in the second half of Barcelona’s 1-0 loss at Atlético Madrid, its first against the Madrid rival in the Spanish league in more than a decade. His knee bent inward after Atlético forward Ángel Correa fell on his leg.

Piqué had to be helped off the field and was taken straight to the changing room. Barcelona said after initial exams on Saturday that Piqué had a sprained knee.

Barcelona also lost Sergi Roberto due to injury in Saturday' match at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. The club said he has a right thigh muscle rupture and will be sidelined for about two months.

The loss to Atlético kept Barcelona in the middle of league standings after eight matches.

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Renard Back to Coach Saudi Arabia after Mancini Exits

France's head coach Herve Renard stands on the sidelines before a women's quarterfinal soccer match between France and Brazil, at La Beaujoire Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Aug. 3, 2024, in Nantes, France. (AP)
France's head coach Herve Renard stands on the sidelines before a women's quarterfinal soccer match between France and Brazil, at La Beaujoire Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Aug. 3, 2024, in Nantes, France. (AP)
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Renard Back to Coach Saudi Arabia after Mancini Exits

France's head coach Herve Renard stands on the sidelines before a women's quarterfinal soccer match between France and Brazil, at La Beaujoire Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Aug. 3, 2024, in Nantes, France. (AP)
France's head coach Herve Renard stands on the sidelines before a women's quarterfinal soccer match between France and Brazil, at La Beaujoire Stadium, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Aug. 3, 2024, in Nantes, France. (AP)

Herve Renard was hired to coach Saudi Arabia for a second time on Saturday, two days after the departure of Roberto Mancini.

“I'm back,” Renard said in a social media video posted by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation.

The Frenchman most recently coached France women to the Paris Olympics quarterfinals.

He was previously in charge of Saudi Arabia from 2019-23, a tenure that included a famous 2-1 win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“I did not intend to leave (Saudi). But when your country knocks on your door you have to respond,” Renard said. “My connection with Saudi, the fans, the players and all the memories — I can never forget. I did not finish my story with Saudi.”

Renard’s contract will run until the end of 2025 with an option to extend until the 2027 Asian Cup, which will be hosted in Saudi Arabia for the first time.

Mancini was hired by Saudi Arabia in August 2023 having led Italy to victory at the 2021 European Championship. But the serial trophy winner was quickly under pressure after an underwhelming Asian Cup in January and an exit in the round of 16.

In Asia’s third round of World Cup qualifying that started in September, Saudi Arabia has collected just five points from four games. This month at home it lost to Japan 2-0 and drew with Bahrain 0-0.

It left Saudi Arabia third place in the six-team group. The top two qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup while the third- and fourth-placed finishers progress to the fourth stage.

Renard’s first game back in charge is against Australia in Melbourne on Nov. 14.