Real Madrid has been hit with a major injury blow on the eve of its Champions League encounter against Liverpool, with the club confirming Franco Mastantuono is suffering from pubalgia.
The 18-year-old has started nine of Real's 14 matches this season and played the full 90 minutes in Saturday's win over Valencia.
Mastantuono was not involved in Real's open training session on Monday and is now expected to miss the Champions League clash at Anfield.
In a statement, Real said: "Following tests carried out today on Franco Mastantuono by Real Madrid's medical department, the player has been diagnosed with pubalgia. His recovery will be monitored."
The winger joined from Argentinian side River Plate over the summer, and has made an immediate impact in the Spanish capital, playing in all three Champions League matches this season. The teenager has already earned three international caps for Argentina.
In his absence, Xabi Alonso could deploy Rodrygo, or recall Eduardo Camavinga and revert to the sort of shape that Real played against Barcelona.
Alonso is expected to give an update later on Monday after the team flies to Liverpool.
Real made the unusual decision to train at home rather than on the Anfield pitch ahead of the game, as opponents typically do before European matches.
"It’s my decision because we have to prepare for the match, and we prefer to do it at our training ground, in our own space, so we don’t get caught by 200 cameras," explained the former Liverpool midfielder, who will return to Anfield for the second season in a row.
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