Real Madrid extends Carvajal's contract after tests show knee-ligament injury

MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid extended Dani Carvajal's contract on Sunday after tests showed he will likely be sidelined for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury.

Madrid said it agreed with Carvajal to extend his contract until June 2026 in an announcement made hours after the right back was diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, a ruptured external collateral ligament and a ruptured popliteus tendon in his right leg.

Madrid said Carvajal will undergo surgery in the coming days.

The defender got hurt in second-half stoppage time of Madrid's 2-0 win against Villarreal in the Spanish league on Saturday. He went down in pain after kicking the leg of an opponent. The Spain international was crying when he was carried off the field on a stretcher.

The 32-year-old Carvajal joined Madrid's youth squads at age 10 in 2002. He became a member of the main team in 2013 and has won 26 titles with Madrid, including six Champions League titles.

Madrid had to deal with several knee ligament injuries last season, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defenders Éder Militão and David Alaba sidelined for extended periods.

Also Sunday, Madrid said forward Vinícius Júnior sustained a cervical injury in the match against Villarreal. It did not give a timeframe for his recovery.

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