Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal is anticipated to be sidelined for approximately a month, according to sources cited by ESPN.
Carvajal sustained a calf injury during Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Granada, resulting in his halftime substitution.
Despite his career-best form this season with 17 appearances, the Spain international adds to Real Madrid’s extensive list of injured players, which includes key figures like Thibaut Courtois, Éder Militão, Luka Modric, and others.
“After tests carried out by Real Madrid Medical Services on our player Dani Carvajal, he has been diagnosed with an injury in the soleus muscle of his left leg,” Madrid said in a statement on Monday.
According to sources reported by ESPN, Real Madrid is optimistic that Dani Carvajal will recover in time for the Spanish Supercopa, with a semifinal match against Atlético Madrid scheduled for January 10.
Despite a series of injuries to key players, including Carvajal, Madrid is currently leading La Liga with 38 points, level with second-placed Girona after 15 games.
Additionally, they have secured a spot in the Champions League round of 16 as group winners. Coach Carlo Ancelotti expressed hope that Carvajal’s injury isn’t severe and that the player will undergo evaluation by the medical team.
Carvajal recently criticised the congested fixture list, suggesting that many players would consider a pay cut to reduce the number of games and prevent injuries.
“There are lots of injuries, and I think a lot of them are due to the calendar,” Carvajal told a news conference on Nov. 28.
“A lot of people say, ‘why don’t [players] cut their salaries?’ We haven’t said we wouldn’t. If we had to earn less and play fewer games, it wouldn’t be a problem. You don’t see players at their best, and the games are dropping in quality.”
“It’s a calendar that can’t continue,” Ancelotti said last month.
“Those who prepare the calendar have to look at it. We have this problem, and it will get worse. The solution is straightforward. Reduce the number of games. The coaches and the players can’t do it.
“LaLiga, UEFA and FIFA can. But we have more Champions League games and more World Cup games. Until it’s sorted out, I think we’ll have even more problems.”