Real Madrid have been hit with the news that defender Pepe may be unavailable for the Champions League final with rivals Atletico Madrid on May 24.
The Portuguese picked up a calf injury in the 1-1 draw with Real Valladolid on Wednesday but played out the full 90 minutes.
Los Blancos, who are priced at 1.60 to win the Champions League, announced on Friday that the defender had been for a scan and revealed he had suffered a “grade one” injury, which could see him miss up to two weeks.
If Pepe takes the full period to recover he will face a race against time to be fit for the showpiece final in Lisbon as Real look to secure the European cup for the first time since 2002.
A club statement read: “After receiving imaging tests today, the Real Madrid player Pepe was diagnosed with a grade one injury in the calf muscle of his left leg,” the club statement read.
“The player’s progress will be monitored.”
The 31-year-old will certainly miss the final two games of the La Liga campaign but with their chances of claiming the title looking slim the main focus will be on getting ready for the trip to his homeland.
The former Porto man has been solid at the back for Carlo Ancelotti’s side this term, making 49 appearances in all competitions but if he fails to win his race to get fit then Raphael Varane will more than likely be handed the chance to start alongside Sergio Ramos.
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