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What's the story?
Real Madrid have confirmed the news that Sergio Ramos is out with a muscular injury on their official website. In a statement published by Los Blancos, they also confirmed that Ramos faces further assessment, saying "Following tests carried out on Sergio Ramos by the Sanitas Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscular injury in the soleus of his left leg. His recovery will continue to be assessed."
Reports in the Spanish press claim that the Real Madrid captain will be out for two weeks, further complicating their attempt to recover a dismal season so far.
Previously
This is the 16th injury Sergio Ramos has suffered in his Real Madrid career till date. The last time the Spanish defender was injured was in November 2017, where a nasal fracture kept him out for 10 days, in which time he also missed 3 games. The last time Ramos suffered a muscle injury was in December 2016, with the centre-back missing 24 games as a result.
The heart of the matter
Zinedine Zidane's attempts to prevent muscular injuries have come to nought, despite resting Ramos for Madrid's recent clash against Numancia in the Copa del Rey. Injuries of this sort usually last two weeks, and in that time Madrid face a tough trip to Celta Vigo, the return leg against Numancia, and also host Villarreal and Deportivo la Coruna.
What next?
Ramos ought to make his return in the crucial away trip to Valencia on January 17th, although given the threadbare nature of Real Madrid's squad, he could be risked earlier if his recovery process goes well.
Author's Take:
Real Madrid's lack of defensive reinforcements in the summer has come back to bite them, and they surely ought to fast-track any January deals they had in the pipeline, so as to not fall further away in La Liga.
