RIO DE JANEIRO, March 25 -- Former Brazil striker Fred could be sidelined for the rest of 2024 after suffering a knee injury while playing for his club Cruzeiro on Sunday.

The 34-year-old's right knee buckled in the first half of Cruzeiro's 2-1 victory over Tupi in the semifinals of the Minas Gerais state championship.

According to Globo Esporte, club officials confirmed that Fred ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that requires surgery and at least six months of rehabilitation.

Cruzeiro coach Mano Menezes said medical staff would conduct further exams on Monday before providing a prognosis.

"We are going to wait until tomorrow, which is the normal course of action for this type of injury," Menezes said.

Fred was making his first appearance since recovering from a calf injury last month. He has scored just once in nine matches for Cruzeiro since joining the club from Atletico Mineiro in January.