Buenos Aires, March 20 (IANS) A serious knee injury suffered by Colombia and River Plate playmaker Juan Fernando Quintero has "greatly affected everyone" at the Argentinian club, according to teammate Lucas Pratto.

Quintero ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee during River's 3-0 home victory over Independiente in the Superliga Argentina on Sunday, reports Xinhua news agency.

The 26-year-old will undergo reconstructive surgery in the coming weeks and is not expected to return to action for at least six months.

"A serious injury like that has greatly affected everyone and we have to support him," said Pratto. "We know that all of us are always at risk of these types of injuries."

Quintero has been ruled out of the Copa America, to be played in Brazil from June 14 to July 7. The injury is also likely to cool the interest of European clubs in the midfielder, with local media reports having linked him with Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool.

--IANS kk/bc