Spain and Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos will miss a month of action after suffering a knee injury in La Roja's 2-0 defeat of Albania in World Cup qualifying on Sunday, according to multiple reports in Spain.
Ramos was taken off with a knock in the 80th minute of the match, with tests later showing a tear in his knee ligament, Marca and AS have reported.
The lengthy absence could see the Spain captain miss as many as six matches for Real Madrid, including two Champions League fixtures against Legia Warsaw and a La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao.
UPDATE: Ramos will be out of action for a good whilehttps://t.co/lRQlzG8DKO pic.twitter.com/rYUpblqvFW
- MARCA in English (@MARCAinENGLISH) October 9, 2016
Spain coach Julen Lopetegui said after the match: "It seems he could have a small strain and be out for two or three games. We are optimistic that it is nothing serious. Although the doctors still have to make a firm call on it. He is very important for his club and for us."
National team doctor Oscar Celada added that Ramos would undergo tests on Monday to discover the full extent of the injury.
"He came off as his medial internal ligament was affected," Celada told radio station Onda Cero. "We will be prudent. We have already spoken with the medical service at his club. Tomorrow there will be tests to get a definitive diagnosis. We hope it is just a ligament strain, the internal, of grade one or two. But we must always be prudent with injuries of the knee, and wait for the tests. With a sprain, it depends on the grade. I will not say a time out until the tests are done tomorrow [Monday]. We hope it is only a light injury."
Ramos had come in for criticism from sections of the Spanish media after conceding his fourth penalty of the season in Spain's 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw with Italy on Thursday, however he was solid before exiting on Sunday.
Ramos has made nine appearances for Real Madrid this season, scoring three goals. He has made 140 overall appearances for Spain since making his national team debut in March of 2005.