Real Madrid announced on Sunday that midfielder Jude Bellingham has suffered a left ankle sprain, potentially sidelining him for up to three weeks as reported by Spanish media.
The English international, who leads Madrid's scoring charts with 20 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions, will be absent for their upcoming Champions League clash against RB Leipzig in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
Bellingham sustained the injury during Madrid's 4-0 victory over Girona in La Liga, where he netted twice to extend Madrid's lead at the top of the table by five points.
There's hope that Bellingham could recover in time for the second leg on March 6. Madrid confirmed the severity of the sprain in a statement, noting it as a high-grade injury.
The 20-year-old is also expected to miss crucial league fixtures against Rayo Vallecano, Sevilla, and Valencia.
This setback adds to Madrid's injury concerns this season, with players like Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, and Eder Militao facing long-term absences, while Vinicius Junior has also struggled with fitness issues.
Bellingham, who joined from Borussia Dortmund last summer for a hefty fee of 103 million euros ($111 million), has rapidly become a key figure in Carlo Ancelotti's squad, leading La Liga's scoring charts with 16 goals.