MADRID (AP) Atletico Madrid midfielder Tiago Mendes has left the hospital in a wheelchair after having a pin inserted into his broken right tibia and will be sidelined for around four months.
The 34-year-old Portugal international said Atletico had ''many young players capable of helping the squad overcome this challenge'' before being helped into a car Monday afternoon.
Tiago has been a key player for Atletico over the last seven seasons, helping it win the 2014 Spanish league title among other trophies.
He injured himself when he kicked Marco Asensio in the back during Saturday's 1-0 win against Espanyol in the league.
Atletico is in second place, four points behind Barcelona after 13 rounds, and has qualified for the round of 16 in the Champions League.
