Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos faces month out after suffering knee injury on international duty

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos is likely to be sidelined for a month after suffering a knee injury during Spain's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win against Albania. Ramos, 30, landed awkwardly after contesting for an aerial challenge during the match in Shkoder and was replaced by Inigo Martinez in the 80th minute.

The Spanish camp is yet to confirm the full extent of the injury, but Marca claims that the defender tore a ligament in his knee and will be out of action for one month. If confirmed, Ramos could miss six games for Real, including La Liga games against Real Betis, Athletic Bilbao, Deportivo Alaves and Leganes.

The news is a blow for Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, who is under pressure amid a four-match winless run.

Ramos was rested by the Frenchman for the home game against Eibar on 2 October, but the gamble backfired as the Basque outfit held on to secure a 1-1 draw.

The centre-back came in for criticism last week after he conceded a late penalty in Spain's 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against Italy in Turin.

"At the end of the day, mistakes can happen to everyone," Ramos was quoted as saying by ESPN after the Italy match.

"Even [Gianluigi] Buffon, and here in Italy he is a national symbol, he gets applauded. In Spain they whistle you. That is the big difference. In Spain there is envy and here there is admiration. I hope that those who want to have a go at me enjoy it now but in the end they will be silenced, as they have been for many years. They've torn strips off me.

"But I did not get too high with the praise, and the criticism will not destroy me either," the 30-year-old added.

Real Madrid return to La Liga action and take on Real Betis at the Benito Villamarin on 15 October.