( CNN ) -- Real Madrid midfielder Kaka is facing a spell of up to four months on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery , the Spanish club have confirmed . The Brazil star had been with Jose Mourinho 's side on their pre-season tour of the United States but left their base in Los Angeles to travel to see a knee specialist in Belgium . Kaka had a disappointing World Cup with his country , as they were knocked out in the quarterfinal by Netherlands , and was troubled by a groin injury during the tournament in South Africa . He joined Real Madrid from Italian giants AC Milan in June 2009 for a then world record fee of $ 88 million but only made 22 appearances as his new club finished second to champions Barcelona . The half hour operation in Antwerp on Thursday morning was hailed as a success but Real fans may have to wait until December to see the 28-year-old back in action . A statement on the club 's official website read : `` The operation performed on the left knee of Real Madrid C.F . 's Ricardo Izecson Dos Santos Leite 'Kaka ' by Dr. Marc Martens at Antwerp 's AZ Monica Hospital was a success . `` The arthroscopic surgery confirmed an injury to the left meniscus with minimal inflammation of the cartilage . The player is expected to miss three to four months . '' Cristiano Ronaldo scored the winner as Real Madrid beat Mexican side Club America 3-2 on their warm up tour of the U.S. and afterwards Mourinho told reporters the club could cope in Kaka 's absence . `` It 's no big deal if we have to lose him for a while , '' he said . `` We have other players and that is that . He is one of the best players in the world . `` Kaka is loved by all his teammates and he is an excellent player , but we want him to be 100 per cent so that he is happy . '' Real Madrid begin their quest to deny Barcelona a third straight Spanish title away to Mallorca on August 29 .
Real Madrid 's goalkeeper could be out of action for up to four months . Kaka has undergone surgery on a knee injury in Belgium . Midfielder represented Brazil at the World Cup in South Africa .