Soccer-Real's Carvajal to undergo surgery after cruciate ligament injury

(Reuters) -Real Madrid right back Dani Carvajal will undergo surgery after rupturing two ligaments and a tendon in his right leg, the LaLiga club said after the Spaniard was taken off on a stretcher during Saturday's 2-0 home win over Villarreal.

The 32-year-old Spain international twisted his right knee during a duel with Villarreal midfielder Yeremy Pino in stoppage time.

"Serious cruciate ligament injury confirmed, I'll have to undergo surgery and be off the field for a few months," Carvajal said on Instagram, where he also posted a picture of himself in an ambulance.

"Looking forward to starting the recovery process and coming back like an animal. Thank you all for your messages, I feel very loved," he added.

Real manager Carlo Ancelotti said he was concerned about Carvajal's injury, the latest blow for the Spanish side after they played without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who suffered an abductor muscle injury against Atletico Madrid last weekend.

In a statement on Sunday, Real said Carvajal had been "diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, a ruptured external collateral ligament and a ruptured popliteal tendon in his right leg."

Real later announced that they had extended Carvajal's contract until June 2026.

"Real Madrid would like to show him all its support and affection and wishes him a speedy recovery so that we can enjoy his football on the pitch again as soon as possible," they said in a statement.

The LaLiga club also said that Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr. had suffered a neck injury in the same match.

Real are second in the standings, level on 21 points with leaders Barcelona, who visit 11th-placed Deportivo Alaves later on Sunday.

(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Additional reporting by Aadi Nair and Pearl Josephine Nazare; Editing by Christian Schmollinger, Edmund Klamann and Toby Davis)