Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid’s Welsh striker Gareth Bale has an injured soleus muscle in the back of his left calf, the club said Thursday, without saying how long he would be sidelined. Bale was forced off after just half an hour of Madrid’s 4-0 win over Shakhtar that opened the Spanish giants’ Champions League campaign on Tuesday.
“The player has been diagnosed with a soleus muscle injury in his left leg. His condition will be evaluated,” the club said in a short statement after medical tests on Thursday.
SEE MORE: Bale injury overshadows win, Ronaldo’s record.
Last season Bale was sidelined for nearly three weeks with a calf problem.
Should the current injury be more serious, he could miss out on sealing Wales’ qualification for an international tournament for the first time since 1958 when they travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina before hosting Andorra next month.
200+ Channels & Local Sports
- Price: Plans starting at $14.99/mo (Latino)
- Watch Ligue 1, Copa Libertadores & World Cup Qualifiers
Every MLS Match in One Place
- Price: $12.99/mo (Now included with standard subscription)
- Watch every MLS regular season game, Playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
- Price: $11.99/mo (or ESPN Unlimited for $29.99/mo)
- Features LaLiga, Bundesliga, FA Cup & NWSL
2,000+ Soccer Games Per Year
- Price: Starting at $8.99/mo
- Features Champions League, Serie A & Europa League
Home of the Premier League
- Price: Starting at $10.99/mo
- 175+ Exclusive EPL matches per season