(Back L-R) Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid's Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid's German midfielder Toni Kroos, Real Madrid's French defender Raphael Varane, Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema, (L-R) Real Madrid's Spanish defender Alvaro Odriozola, Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale, Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Marcelo, Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric pose for a group picture before the Spanish League football match between Celta Vigo and Real Madrid at the Balaidos Stadium in Vigo on August 17, 2019.
MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP
(Back L-R) Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid's Spanish defender Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid's German midfielder Toni Kroos, Real Madrid's French defender Raphael Varane, Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema, (L-R) Real Madrid's Spanish defender Alvaro Odriozola, Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale, Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Marcelo, Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric pose for a group picture before the Spanish League football match between Celta Vigo and Real Madrid at the Balaidos Stadium in Vigo on August 17, 2019.
MIGUEL RIOPA / AFP
Valladolid’s Spanish midfielder Sergio Guardiola (2L) celebrates after scoring during the Spanish League football match between Real Madrid and Real Valladolid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on August 24, 2019. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP)James Rodriguez sustained a calf injury while playing against Real Valladolid on Saturday, Real Madrid has confirmed.
James was included in the starting line-up for Madrid’s 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu, despite missing all their pre-season matches as he was expected to leave the club.
The Colombian played well but was substituted early in the second half by Zinedine Zidane, who said after the game James had been feeling some discomfort.
A Real Madrid statement on Monday read: “After the tests carried out today on our player James Rodriguez by the Real Madrid Medical Services he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the right calf. His recovery will continue to be assessed.”
Madrid offered no timeframe for James’ return but he is expected to miss their trip to Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday.
After the two-week international break, Madrid faces Levante at home before playing their opening fixture of the Champions League group stage on either September 17 or 18.
[ad unit=2]
