The Barcelona striker David Villa breaks his leg.

David Villa facing six months out after breaking leg in Club World Cup

David Villa is carried off on a stretcher

The Barcelona striker David Villa faces up to six months out of the game after breaking his left leg in Barcelona's Fifa Club World Cup semi-final win over Al-Sadd in Yokohama.

"David has fractured his leg and will return to Barcelona for an operation as soon as possible," their coach Pep Guardiola said. "We are all very sad for him. He's a charming personality and it's a massive blow for the team.

"He will be out for a long time: I don't know how long but it takes a long time to return after a break like this. All the players are very worried about David. We hope he will return as soon as possible. Our thoughts are with him and we will have to win the Club World Cup without him."

Villa, who had been linked with a multi-million pound move to England in the January transfer window, suffered a fractured tibia while challenging for a ball in the Al-Sadd penalty area. He was taken to the Yokohama Rosa hospital.

The injury means Spain are likely to be without their leading striker for the defence of their title at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine. The 30-year-old is Spain's all-time top scorer with 50 goals in 81 appearances.

"We are going to miss Villa," the Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara said. "We hope it isn't too bad. When you play you never think that these things can happen. It was bad luck." He added: "There is a long way to go [until Euro 2012]." Barcelona won the game comfortably 4-0, and will face Santos in the final on Sunday. The Brazilian defender Adriano scored twice in the first half – his opener helped by a moment of hesitation from the Al-Sadd goalkeeper Mohamed Saqr. After the break, Seydou Keita and Maxwell added another two to complete a comprehensive win.

On Wednesday Guardiola had denied the club had been actively trying to sell the 30-year-old Villa only 19 months into the four-year deal agreed following his €40m (£33.5m) transfer from Valencia.

Villa scored five times in 15 league appearances this season, following his 18 goals in 34 games as Barça won the Primera División title last season.

Source: the guardian