MADRID, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid central defender Eder Militao could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after the Brazilian limped out of Sunday's home defeat to Celta Vigo.

Militao went to ground clutching his left hamstring after having chased down Celta forward Pablo Duran, and had to be helped off the pitch in evident pain before being replaced by Antonio Rudiger.

Although the club has yet to publish a medical report, it seems unlikely Militao will play again in 2025 and he has to be considered a serious doubt for the Spanish Supercup, which will be played in Saudi Arabia in early January.

Militao has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, needing two knee operations and then suffering another muscle problem that sidelined him for a fortnight in November.

The injury comes at the worst possible time for under-pressure Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, whose side entertains Manchester City in a vital Champions League game on Wednesday.

As well as Militao, Alonso is missing David Alaba, Dean Huijsen, Ferland Mendy, Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is also likely to miss the rest of 2025.

That leaves just Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio as Real Madrid's only two fit central defenders, while the red cards shown to left-backs Alvaro Carreras and Fran Garcia on Sunday mean they will be suspended for next weekend's La Liga visit to Deportivo Alaves. ■