Adelaide United midfielder Juande has had surgery after breaking both major bones in his lower right leg during Sunday's A-League Men's draw with Melbourne City.

The Spaniard broke both the tibia and fibula bones in his right leg in a horror injury which delayed play for about 30 minutes during Sunday's 3-3 result at AAMI Park.

Juande's wife flew to Melbourne on Sunday to be with the 36-year-old, who had surgery on Monday.

A United spokesman said Juande was in reasonably good spirits, while teammates spoke of their shock at the injury.

United coach Carl Veart was on the verge of tears in his post-match media conference while some Adelaide players were crying at the sight of their stricken teammate whose ALM season is over.

"You don't want to experience that with anyone," Adelaide's Josh Cavallo told reporters in Melbourne on Monday.

"It disturbed a lot of people. There was a lot of us boys crying in the changeroom and it took Carl for a shock as well.

"We just never think you would experience that in a game of football so we send Juande all our best wishes.

"Hopefully he's not in too much pain and he has a speedy recovery."

United remain uncertain when Juande will be cleared by surgeons in Melbourne to return to Adelaide.