Dani Carvajal has confirmed that he has suffered a cruciate ligament injury after being stretchered off in Real Madrid’s clash with Villarreal on Saturday.

The defender was taken off after a hefty collision with Villarreal star Yermey Pino on the right flank late in the game, with many fearing that Carvajal had suffered a serious knee injury.

Taking to Instagram late on Saturday evening, Carvajal confirmed that that was indeed the case, stating that he had suffered a serious “cruciate ligament injury” which will require surgery.

The right-back’s statement reads: “A serious injury to the cruciate ligament has been confirmed, I will have to undergo surgery and be off the pitch for a few months.

“I am already looking forward to starting the recovery and coming back like a beast. Thank you all very much for your messages, I feel very loved.”

The injury will more than likely see Carvajal miss the remainder of the 2024/25 season – a major blow to Real Madrid’s aspirations of retaining their La Liga and UEFA Champions League crowns.

Speaking to the press after the 2-0 win over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu, Carlo Ancelotti revealed how he intends to replace the starting right-back in his lineup, and how the squad has reacted to Carvajal’s injury: “Will we sign a right-back? Lucas gives us a lot of confidence.

“When something like this happens to a player like Dani, who is always motivated, it affects all the players and the whole team. We have to respond.

“Last year we reacted very well to the injuries we had and this year we have to make a further effort to ensure that the injuries serve as a source of motivation for the rest of the squad, as was the case last year.”

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