Argentina's Maxi out for much of season with knee injury

MADRID, Oct 12 (Reuters) Argentina forward Maxi Rodriguez has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, his club Atletico Madrid said today.

The 25-year-old international is expected to be sidelined for a large part of the season after being taken off in the 16th minute of Argentina's 2-1 friendly defeat to Spain in Murcia yesterday.

Maxi, who scored the spectacular volleyed winner for Argentina against Mexico in the World Cup finals, has been a key figure in Atletico's strong start to the Primera Liga season.

He is the club's leading scorer with three goals from five games.

Atletico are fifth, three points behind leaders Barcelona.

REUTERS PDS BS1755