Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal is likely to miss out on Spain’s Euro 2016 campaign with the hamstring injury that forced him off in Saturday’s Champions League final.
Carvajal was substituted in tears early in the second half of Saturday’s game against Atletico Madrid in Milan, which Real won 5-3 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 at the end of extra time.
In a statement on their website on Monday, Real said Carvajal “has been diagnosed with a grade 2 injury to the right iliopsoas. His recovery will continue to be assessed.”
While his club refused to put a timespan on Carvajal’s absence, Spanish media reports indicated he will be out for at least three weeks and his chances of going to the European Championship in France are now almost certainly over.
The 24-year-old was included in Vicente del Bosque’s provisional 25-man squad for the tournament but the Spain coach must announce his final 23-man list by Tuesday.
Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin, who was initially named as a back-up and made his international debut in Sunday’s 3-1 friendly win against Bosnia in Switzerland, has been tipped to benefit from Carvajal’s injury.
The two-time reigning European champions will play further friendlies against South Korea on Wednesday and Georgia on June 7 before beginning their defence of the trophy against the Czech Republic in Toulouse on June 13.
{{/usCountry}}The two-time reigning European champions will play further friendlies against South Korea on Wednesday and Georgia on June 7 before beginning their defence of the trophy against the Czech Republic in Toulouse on June 13.
{{/usCountry}}They will also face Turkey and Croatia in Group D.