The much-experienced defender picked up a knock in the previous La Liga fixture and it could be a while before he starts for Barcelona again.
Gerard Pique has sustained medial and cruciate knee ligament injuries, FC Barcelona confirmed on Sunday.
The center-back was visibly in pain as he hobbled off the pitch after a collision with Angel Correa during the 1-0 loss to Atletico on Saturday.
In a statement released on social media, Barca reported that the Spanish international has suffered a serious knee injury.
No official timeframe has been established for his return, but reports in the Spanish press have suggested it could take anything between two to six months for him to fully recover and return to action.
“Tests carried out this Sunday on Gerard Pique have shown that he has a grade 3 sprain in the internal lateral ligament and partial injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee,” the medical statement read.
“The evolution of the injury will condition his availability.”
Sergi Roberto is another player who was hurt in the clash against Atletico, with Barca confirming that the right-back is facing two months on the sidelines with a thigh injury.
Roberto’s medical report read: “Tests performed this Sunday on Sergi Roberto have shown that he has a rupture in the femoral rectus of his right thigh.
“The approximate time he will be out is two months.”
Pique and Roberto facing lengthy spells on the sidelines only deepens Barcelona’s injury crisis as Samuel Umtiti and Ronald Araujo are also on the treatment table.
Ronald Koeman could be forced to use Frenkie de Jong at center-back or turn to Barca B when deciding his team for Tuesday’s Champions League game against Dynamo Kyiv.
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