Roma, chasing a Champions League spot in Serie A, will be without Argentine striker Paulo Dybala for more than six weeks due to a knee injury, Italian media reported on Friday.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport and Sky Sport Italia, Dybala underwent surgery in Rome on Friday after suffering “a complete longitudinal tear of the external meniscus.”

The 2022 World Cup winner had cut short Thursday’s training session, initially described by Roma as “muscle fatigue.” He is now expected to be sidelined for around 45 days, ruling him out of seven Serie A matches as well as the Europa League round of 16 tie against fellow Italian side Bologna.

Dybala had not played for Roma in February due to a “knee problem.” He returned to the bench for the March 1 clash with Juventus but remained an unused substitute in the 3-3 draw.

The 32-year-old forward lost his status as an undisputed starter late last season and has scored just two goals in 17 Serie A appearances this campaign.

Roma currently sit fourth in Serie A, 16 points behind leaders Inter Milan, but only two points behind third-placed Napoli and three ahead of fifth-placed Como, making Dybala’s absence a significant blow to their top-four ambitions.