Bayern and Spain lose Martínez to knee injury

FC Bayern München have confirmed the severity of the knee ligament injury sustained by Javi Martínez during Wednesday's German Super Cup loss to Borussia Dortmund, with the Spanish international ruled out for the rest of 2014.

Martínez, who was helped off the pitch during the first half of Bayern's 2-0 defeat in Dortmund, has torn the cruciate ligament in his left knee. "I am really sad at the moment," the 25-year-old defensive midfielder said. "But no one needs to worry about me. I will come back stronger than ever."

The former Athletic Club player will have surgery in the United States during the next few days before returning to Munich to start his recovery. Martínez, signed for a club-record €40m two summers ago, helped Bayern to a historic treble in his first season, forming a superb partnership with Bastian Schweinsteiger en route to a 2013 UEFA Champions League triumph.

He has since struggled to find his best form due to injuries and will now be unavailable for Bayern's group stage campaign. Martínez will also miss the start of Spain's UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying bid.