Cristiano Ronaldo Could Miss Up To 3 Weeks After Suffering Thigh Injury In Win Over Almeria

Guiding Portugal to the 2014 World Cup with a dominant performance in a qualifying playoff against Sweden while also keeping Real Madrid near the top of the Spanish Primera league, Cristiano Ronaldo has once again solidified himself as one of the best footballers in the world. The performance he's put together on multiple levels this season has many fans placing him ahead of Barcelona's Lionel Messi as the top player on the planet. Despite his recent success however, news coming that the 28-year-old could be shelved for an extended period of time is not sitting well with the player and loyalists at the Bernabeu.

According to ESPN, Ronaldo could miss up to three weeks after suffering a thigh injury in Real Madrid's recent 5-0 victory over La Liga opponent Almeria. After recording his 17^th league goal in 14 matches this season, the international superstar came out of the match in the second half after limping around the pitch. Though the early thought was that the injury was not at all significant, X-ray's indicated that Ronaldo's injury came on his left thigh, with an exact return time hinging on how quickly the injury heals. The player didn't feel the injury was very serious however, even noting that he came off the field in the 52^nd minute for precautionary reasons.

"It was for precaution," Ronaldo said. "It's nothing special. I was kicked in the first half and had the muscle a little stiff." Head coach Carlo Ancelotti was adamant about the fact that his player would go for an X-Ray, especially since the Madrid boss knew his top flight player was having a problem with his hamstring. "Following tests carried out today on Cristiano Ronaldo by Real Madrid's Medical Services at the Sanitas La Moraleja hospital, he has been found to have an injured left thigh," the team posted on its website. "More information will become clear depending on his progress."

There is the potential that Madrid's top scorer could miss a total of three weeks but as he begins the healing process, team higher-ups noted that CR7 will definitely miss the upcoming Champions League showdown against Galatasaray.

Real Madrid currently sits third in the La Liga standings with 34 points. Railing leader Barcelona by 6 and Atletico Madrid by 3 points, the team will most likely have to endure life without Ronaldo for multiple matches. Despite trailing in La Liga, Real Madrid has a six-point lead in Group B of the UEFA Champions League.