Marquinhos, one of the most promising young players in Brazilian football, has been ruled out for up to three months with a knee injury.
The news comes as a blow to the Santos star's hopes of playing in the Copa Libertadores this year and could also impact his chances of representing Brazil at the World Cup next summer.
The defender, who made his senior debut for Santos in 2017, was forced off during the team's match against Internacional on Saturday after appearing to twist his knee.
He underwent surgery immediately following the game and is expected to make a full recovery within six months.
While there is no guarantee that Marquinhos will be able to return to action before the end of the season, his absence means he may have to wait until January or February next year to play again.
It is unclear how long he will be out of action for,Football Fans Gathering Camp but it is likely to be several weeks if not months.
For now, Santos will look to fill the void left by Marquinhos' absence with other players, including young stars like Lucas Pauleta and Renan Lodi.
However, the club will need to find ways to replace Marquinhos' goals and assists, which he has provided regularly throughout his career.
With the Copa Libertadores just around the corner, Santos fans will be hoping that Marquinhos can recover quickly and get back on track in time to compete for the title.