'Life can hit you at any moment': Marco Asensio vows to come back stronger after Real Madrid star ruptured knee ligaments in Ars

Marco Asensio has vowed to come back stronger than ever after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury that will rule him out for most of the season.

The Real Madrid winger, 23, was carried off on a stretched during their International Champions Cup fixture against Arsenal in Maryland on Wednesday.

Asensio requires an operation on his left knee and could well be sidelined for the next nine months.

The Spain international wrote on social media: "I began this season with renewed hopes, looking after even the last tiny detail of my preparation so that this would be a great season for all the Madrid fans and for myself."

"At the highest points in life, you can have an unexpected stroke of bad luck and suddenly everything changes."

"It is hard to accept everything these days, but I begin another personal challenge in my life. I still trust that this will be a great season."

Asensio added: "Your messages of support and loving gestures give me even more strength to face this challenge."

"Heartfelt thanks to all of you for your support."

Asensio, whose participation in Euro 2020 with Spain could also be in doubt, scored in the match against Arsenal before rupturing his knee ligaments five minutes later.

A statement from Real Madrid said: "He has been diagnosed with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and the external meniscus of his left knee."

"The player will be surgically operated in the next few days."