Barcelona and Spain have been dealt a blow after striker David Villa broke his leg playing in the FIFA Club World Cup. The 30-year-old fractured his left tibia in the run up to half-time in his side’s semi-final against Qatari side Al Sadd.

According to his club manager, Pep Guardiola, the kind of break the player suffered will keep him out for a “long time”.

“He will be out for a long time with this sort of break,” said Guardiola. He will return to Barcelona as soon as possible for an operation. It’s a massive blow for him and Barcelona.”

The manager added that the side will have to try and win the final without him, but that Villa would be in his minds.

However, of greater concern will be the impact the loss will have on Barcelona’s efforts to retain their La Liga and Champions League crowns, and the best Champions League betting will no doubt reflect this.

The side are currently top of their domestic table with 37 points, but rivals Real Madrid are only trailing on goal difference and have a game in hand.

Barca were 3-1 victors when they faced Real last weekend and looked like they were getting back to their best form after a season in which they have struggled by their usual standards.

Although they still have an excellent side, Villa is one of their key players and their task will be made much harder without him. The same goes for the Spanish national team who may also have to cope without him when they look to defend their crown at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine this summer.