Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid players were “sad” and “worried” after defender Dani Carvajal suffered what appeared to be a “serious knee injury” in Saturday's 2-0 LaLiga win over Villarreal.

Federico Valverde gave Madrid a first-half lead at the Santiago Bernabeu and Vinícius Júnior scored a spectacular second goal after the break, but Madrid's win was overshadowed by Carvajal's injury in stoppage time.

The Spanish international tried to play the ball upfield and collided with Villarreal winger Yeremy Pino before being carried off the pitch in apparent desperation.

“It looks like a serious knee injury, it needs to be examined in the next few hours,” Ancelotti said in his post-match press conference on Saturday. “The locker room is sad and worried. Something happened that we wish wouldn't happen. On this schedule, it happens. Unfortunately it happened to a very important player for us.”

Carvajal was nominated for the 2024 Men's Ballon d'Or after winning a LaLiga and Champions League double with Real Madrid in the 2023/24 season and then winning Euro 2024 with Spain.

“He is an important player for us with his experience, his seriousness and his professionalism,” said Ancelotti. “He's obviously sad and disappointed but there's not much to do. We will see what the medical assessment says and then think about his recovery.”

“It's a shame,” said goalscorer Valverde. “In the end, the most important thing is not the result, but the health of Carva.”

Ancelotti was also asked about Vincius' fitness after he was ruled out in the 79th minute with a shoulder problem.

“He’s stiff,” Ancelotti said. “He had problems with his cervical spine and is in pain. He will undergo a check-up in the next few hours.”

The Italian said it was too early to consider whether Madrid might be forced to sign a right-back with Lucas Vázquez the only alternative to Carvajal in the first-team squad.

“This is not the day,” he said. “We have great confidence in Lucas Vazquez. During this break we will have time to talk about it. The market is closed, there are not many options.”

Madrid's win took them 21 points level with league leaders Barcelona, ​​who visit Alavés on Sunday.