Dante ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during Sunday's 3-0 victory over Angers, OGC Nice have confirmed.

The veteran defender, whose contract with the Ligue 1 club expires in June 2021, will likely miss the rest of the 2020-21 season following the results of an MRI scan on Monday.

The 37-year-old has been a stalwart in Patrick Vieira's side since joining from Wolfsburg in 2016 and will be sorely missed as Les Aiglons battle on two fronts: Ligue 1 and the Europa League.

Club statement:

"On Sunday in Angers, his early departure from the game was the only cloud on a victorious afternoon. Fifty-five minutes in, Dante was on the turf after an aerial challenge in the opposition box. The replay didn't look good, nor the expression on his face nor those of his teammates as he was stretchered off.

"Unfortunately, Monday's MRI scan has confirmed the worrying first impression: Dante has ruptured an ACL. The injury requires an operation that will sideline him for some time. In the challenging times ahead, the CommanDANTE can count on the support of the club and all its fans."