Antonio Rudiger has been ruled out for a prolonged spell due to an injured muscle in his left leg.
The Spanish club released a medical report on Friday, saying that tests conducted by their medical services had revealed an injury to his rectus femoris muscle.
What happened?
Antonio Rudiger, 32, is awaiting more tests in the next few days but is likely to be out for at least two months.
Impact on Real Madrid
He has made one appearance in La Liga this season, having been ruled out of their first game with a suspension from a red card.
The centre-back made 55 appearances for Madrid last season, despite picking up a muscle injury and a tear of his lateral meniscus, a knee injury.
What comes next?
The Germany international has made 157 total appearances for Madrid since his transfer from Chelsea in the summer ahead of the 2022-23 season.
Real Madrid signed 20-year-old centre-back Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth this summer, on a deal that will see him at the Bernabeu through to 2030.
The loss of Antonio Rudiger is bad news for Madrid, but the addition of Dean Huijsen and the return of Eder Militao will help the team rotate.
Head coach Xabi Alonso has David Alaba and Raul Asencio as substitutes, which will help the team cope with Rudiger's absence.
It might also be a good moment for the promising player Joan Martinez, who made a great impression last summer.
On Friday, the medical report revealed the extent of Rudiger's injury, and he will undergo further tests in the coming days.
Antonio Rudiger's injury will be a significant blow to Real Madrid's back line, but the team has the depth to cope with his absence.
The upcoming La Liga fixtures will be a challenge for the team, but with the right strategy, they can still achieve their goals.
Antonio Rudiger's recovery will be closely monitored, and the team will hope he can return to the pitch as soon as possible.
The Germany international has been an important player for Real Madrid, and his absence will be felt, but the team is confident they can overcome this setback.