Some unfortunate injury news, as the defending UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid have publicly announced that Colombian attacking midfielder James Rodriguez suffered a fractured foot during their 2-1 La Liga victory over Sevilla yesterday night. The £63million pound summer signing from AS Monaco is set to miss at least the next nine fixtures, including crunch matches against title rivals Atlético Madrid and Barcelona, as well as both legs of their Champions League Last-16 tie against Bundesliga side Schalke, to be played later this month.
A real shame for James, as he was starting to gain momentum in the Real first-team set-up, with three goals, two assists and two Man Of The Match performances in his last six matches alone proving his form of late.
A medical statement from the club read: "Real Madrid's James Rodriguez has undergone surgery on the fracture he suffered in the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The operation was a complete success and was carried out by doctor Mariano de Prado under the supervision of doctor Jesus Olmo, the Real Madrid CF doctor."
Carlo Ancelotti had this to say, on the club website after the game: "Sergio had a hamstring problem, we cannot evaluate it yet. We must wait a few days."As a result of their 2-1 win, they move four points clear at the top of the table; but Spanish centre-back Sergio Ramos was substituted off after nine minutes courtesy of a hamstring problem, but the diagnosis is yet to suggest how long the experienced defender will be sidelined for.