Lucas Vazquez Injured In Ligament, Possible Absence Until End Of Season
JAKARTA - Real Madrid confirmed that Lucas Vazquez suffered a ligament injury while playing in El Clasico against Barcelona on Sunday, April 11.
Vazquez suffered the injury during a physical altercation with Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets and had to be substituted at the end of the first half as his team won 2–1.
Madrid have not yet determined how long the Spaniard will be absent, but he is likely to miss until the end of the season after his injury is diagnosed.
"Following tests conducted today on Lucas Vazquez by Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle problem in the posterior cruciatum ligament in his left knee," the Capitals club wrote in an official statement, quoted by Antara from Goal.
"His recovery will continue to be reviewed."
Vazquez himself said he was "saddened" by the injury, but pledged to support the club from the sidelines because they wanted to maintain their position as title contenders in La Liga and the Champions League.
"I'm going to have to help the team from the sidelines for a while. I was devastated, but never discouraged. If there is one thing this club has taught me is to always fight," the 29-year-old Spaniard wrote on his Instagram account.
"From now on I give my best to come back as quickly as possible and help this team in the final stages. Thank you for all your messages and support."
"One goal - keep fighting for La Liga and the UEFA Champions League!"
It is likely that this season will be Vazquez's last season with Real Madrid when his contract runs out in the summer of 2021.
Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with the winger, who was a member of Madrid's academy before breaking into the senior squad in 2015.
Vazquez has been a key player for Zinedine Zidane's side this season, having scored two goals and contributed five assists in 24 La Liga appearances.
The winger helped his team score in the first 15 minutes of a recent El Clasico match. Vazquez received a pass from Federico Valverde, who fed Karim Benzema before putting the ball into marc-andre ter Stegen's net.