Real Madrid captain Federico Valverde is set for a spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious ankle injury during Sunday's 2-1 derby defeat to Atletico Madrid.
The Uruguay midfielder was injured following a tackle from Atletico's Lee Kang-in, with Real Madrid arguing that the challenge should have resulted in a red card for the South Korean.
Real confirmed on Tuesday that medical tests had revealed a grade three sprain to Valverde's left ankle.
"After the tests carried out today on our player Fede Valverde by the Real Madrid medical services, he has been diagnosed with a grade 3 sprain in his left ankle," the club said in a statement.
Spanish media reports suggest Valverde could be unavailable for several weeks, which would also rule him out of Uruguay's upcoming international friendlies against Japan, South Korea and India.
The incident added to Real Madrid's frustration following their derby defeat.
Head coach Jose Mourinho arrived at his post-match press conference carrying printed screenshots of two challenges he believed should have resulted in Atletico players being sent off.
One of those incidents was Lee's tackle on Valverde, which ultimately left the Real captain facing a period out of action.
