AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta has had successful surgery on his right knee, but will miss the remainder of the Serie A season.

Nesta underwent surgery at the Villa Stuart hospital in Rome.

He missed Milan's 4-0 loss to Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday and was diagnosed with a torn tendon Friday.

The centre back has had several serious injuries in his career, beginning with one to his right knee at the 1998 World Cup.

A left foot injury stopped him at the 2002 World Cup and a muscle problem plagued him at the 2006 World Cup.

He played only one game last season because of a bad back.