Lucas Vazquez suffers season-ending knee injury during El Clasico

Real Madrid winger Lucas Vazquez may have played his final game for the club after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Saturday's 2-1 victory over rivals Barcelona.

Vazquez, who has been filling in at right-back during the absence of Dani Carvajal, collided with Sergio Busquets shortly before half-time and looked to be in real pain before the left the field.

Real took to their official website after the game to confirm Vazquez had suffered a sprain to the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, and Marca believe the problem has brought his season to an abrupt end.

"I’m going to have to help the team from the sidelines for a while," Vazquez wrote on his Instagram page. "Gutted, but never down.

"If there’s one thing this club has taught me it’s to always fight. From this moment I’m giving all I can to be back as soon as possible and help this team in the final stages. Thanks to everyone for your messages and support.

"One objective - keep fighting for La Liga and the UEFA Champions League!"

In the short term, it's a problem for Real, who are left with the unconvincing Alvaro Odriozola to start at right-back in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool at Anfield. Centre-back Eder Militao can also play there but is needed centrally, where Real are without the injured Sergio Ramos and COVID-positive Raphael Varane.

However, for Vazquez, this injury could not have come at a worse time as his contract at Real is up this summer and he is yet to put pen to paper on a renewal.

Los Blancos have offered the versatile Spaniard a new deal with a reduced salary - something everyone in the squad has been asked to accept - but Vazquez has snubbed their offers as he wants what he believes could be one final big-money contract.

His chances of earning a bumper salary elsewhere could reduce if his injury is indeed serious, however, given how long he may need to recover.

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