Karim Benzema ruled out for three weeks after injury in Champions League tie

Karim Benzema is out for three weeks with an injury he suffered in the first half of Real Madrid’s Champions League win over Celtic.

Benzema was wincing in pain and stretching his right knee around the 25th minute at Celtic Park. Despite trying to carry on, Carlo Ancelotti had to substitute the French international for Eden Hazard.

A statement from the club’s website read: “Following tests carried out on our player Karim Benzema by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semitendinosus tendon and a strain to the quadricep muscle in his right thigh. His recovery will continue to be assessed.”

Benzema was cheered off the pitch by both the Celtic and Madrid supporters.

Ancelotti played it calmly in the post-match conference. “It seems not so serious, but we have to wait until tomorrow,” he said. “Both of them will have a check – Benzema and Eder Militao. It seems not so important.”

While the injury is not as serious as first feared, having Benzema out for three weeks is not good news for Los Blancos.

The UEFA Men’s Footballer of the Year is ruled out of this weekend’s home game against Real Mallorca.

Benzema will also miss his side’s encounter against RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League and the La Liga derby against city rivals Atletico Madrid.

He will not join the France team for the first international break in September. He will miss Didier Deschamps’ camp to be fit for the Osasuna game when La Liga action returns on October 2

Despite the injury to Benzema, Madrid started the defence of their 14th Champions League title by swatting the Scottish champions aside convincingly.

Hazard produced a memorable performance. He provided a key pass that led to Vinicius Junior’s opener around the half-hour mark.

The Belgian international also provided the pass for Luka Modric’s goal before scoring himself moments later.

In the absence of a recognised back-up striker following the transfer of Luka Jovic to Fiorentina and Ancelotti’s distrust in Mariano Diaz, Hazard will continue in the false nine role for the foreseeable future.