Real Madrid star Kaka faces up to two months on the sidelines as he requires knee surgery.
Kaka has been struggling with the problem for some time and Real have decided to send him to Belgium for further examinations with a view to an eventual operation.
It means Kaka will miss the start of the new Primera Liga season as well as the first few games in the UEFA Champions League.
"After medical exams and several further tests we suspect that he is suffering from a lesion in his meniscus which may require keyhole surgery," Real said in a statement.
Real added, however, the groin strain from which Kaka has been suffering, and which hampered his first season with the team, had shown "clear signs of improvement".
Real coach Jose Mourinho is not worried about losing Kaka and feels they have enough cover to cope without the Brazilian.
"If we lose him for some time it's no drama, we have other players and that's it," he said. "But he's one of the best players in the world."
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