It’s a bitter blow for Portuguese International Pepe after the Real Madrid defender was diagnosed with a torn ACL and is unfortunately looking set to miss the 2010 FIFA World Cup after being stretchered off during the 3 – 2 win on the road in Valencia.

Via Goal

Real Madrid’s towering defender Pepe has announced that he is “completely destroyed” after learning of the torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, which will force him to miss the rest of the season.

Madrid’s deputy of the back line suffered the debilitating injury in Saturday’s match against Valencia and was stretchered off the pitch in tears and with his head in his hands. The Portuguese will undergo an operation to repair the damaged ligament later this week in order to allow time for the swelling to go down. The injury will force the defender out of the rest of the club season, but also put him in danger of missing  World Cup 2010 in South Africa for which Portugal managed to qualify thanks to a play-off victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina last month.

Image via Wldcup