REAL MADRID superstar Gareth Bale has been ruled out of the Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.
The Welshman injured his left calf during the El Clasico defeat to Barcelona at the weekend and will now miss both legs of the European tie against Real’s fierce city rivals.
Bale has been plagued by a number of setbacks following his then-world record move to Real in 2013.
The 27-year-old was on the sidelines for four months with an ankle injury earlier this season.
And Bale is now in danger of missing the rest of Real’s season after being ruled out for at least one month with a calf problem.
He will definitely miss the home and away games against Atletico in the Champions League.
But Bale is also set to be absent for vital domestic matches against Deportivo, Valencia, Granada and Sevilla.
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Barcelona have gone joint-top with Real on goal difference thanks to Lionel Messi’s last-gasp winner, although Los Blancos can open up a three-point lead if they win their game in-hand.
But Bale’s absence will make the task of a first La Liga title since 2012 a lot harder, with a Real statement confirming: “Following tests, the player has been diagnosed with a grade 2 injury in his left calf. His recovery will continue to be assessed.”
With Bale linked to a move away from the Bernabeu this summer, might he have played his final game for Real?
Watch this space.