James Rodríguez is facing a spell on the sidelines after the Real Madrid forward broke a metatarsal during Wednesday night’s 2-1 win over Sevilla.
Madrid opened up a four-point gap at the top of La Liga with the win, but it came at a price as Rodríguez – who opened the scoring with a diving header after 12 minutes – and Sergio Ramos both went off injured.
Madrid later confirmed a broken bone for the Colombian, who could be out for around two months.
A statement on the club’s website said: “After the tests carried out on James Rodríguez by the Real Madrid medical services at the Sanitas La Moraleja Hospital, he has been diagnosed with a fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The player will undergo surgery in the coming hours.”
Ramos had been substituted after nine minutes with a hamstring problem but it is unclear how long the defender may be sidelined.
“Sergio had a hamstring problem,” Carlo Ancelotti said on the club website. “We cannot evaluate it yet. We must wait a few days.”
Rodríguez’s replacement in the match, Jesé, had doubled Madrid’s lead before Sevilla – who themselves lost their goalkeeper Beto to injury – replied late on through Iago Aspas.