Brazilian Robinho fractures back in international friendly

Brazilian footballer Robinho faces an extended spell on the sidelines after scans revealed a broken bone in his back.

The 33-year-old Atletico Mineiro player suffered the injury during Brazil's 1-0 friendly victory over Colombia on Thursday, a match that raised money for victims of the Chapecoense air disaster, reports Xinhua news agency.

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"Robinho suffered trauma in his back – a small fracture in the third vertebra," Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said on Thursday.

"It's similar to the one that Neymar had at the (2014) World Cup, but this is a little different because it's an incomplete fracture without any deviation," Lasmar added.

Robinho is expected to miss most or all of Atletico Mineiro's Campeonato Mineiro campaign, which begins on Saturday.