Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal picked up a leg injury in Saturday night’s 2-0 win over Villarreal.
The Spanish right-back had played the whole game as previous goals from Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior wrap the dots but he was left screaming in agony in stoppage time of the second half after a collision with Yeremi Pino.
Carvajal had to be stretchered off the pitch and will now undergo medical tests to determine the severity of the injury. Manager Carlo Ancelotti is already without long-term absentee David Alaba, as well as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Brahim Diaz.
There was also one injury sustained by the scorer Vinicius. The Brazilian superstar was caught on the shoulder as he was substituted shortly after being extended Madridleads with a brilliant effort from distance.
Both players will now be assessed, with Carvajal looking set to miss Spain’s upcoming Nations League games against Denmark and Serbia. Vinicius was also expected to play for Brazil in their crucial World Cup qualifiers with Chile and Peru.
If Carvajal has suffered a long-term injury, Ancelotti will be able to turn to squad player Lucas Vázquez. Previously a full-back, the 33-year-old has developed into a reliable operator at right-back and scored twice in a 3-2 win over Alavés last month.
There are less obvious substitutions for Vinicius. without a doubt the favorite for this year’s Ballon d’Orfew players can match the 24-year-old’s dribbling and creativity worldwide and Ancelotti will be hoping his star man has avoided a serious shoulder problem.
After the October international break, Madrid will face Celta Vigo and return to the club Champions League against Borussia Dortmund in a rematch of last season’s final.
