Banega breaks leg in freak accident

Argentine soccer star Ever Banega was sidelined for the season after suffering a broken leg when he ran himself over with his own car.

Banega, a 23-year-old midfielder for Spanish La Liga side Valencia, suffered the freak injury after stopping for gas on the way home from a training session Sunday, Spanish sports daily Marca reported.

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He forgot to apply the hand brake, and the car rolled back, crushing his left leg between the curb of the gas station and the tire.

Banega was due to undergo surgery for a broken fibula and tibia, which would put him out of action for at least six months.

"Ever Banega suffered an automobile mishap after training and will have an operation on an injury to his ankle this afternoon," Valencia said in a statement Sunday.

Banega moved to Spain from Argentina four years ago and has made 14 appearances for the Argentinean national side.

He joins a long list of soccer players who have suffered freak injuries. England star Rio Ferdinand injured his knee watching TV, while former Valencia goalkeeper Santiago Canizares missed the 2002 World Cup after injuring his toe with a broken aftershave bottle.