Real Madrid have been dealt the blow that star man Cristiano Ronaldo could miss the next three weeks of action with a thigh injury.

The Portugal captain picked up the problem during the La Liga giant's 5-0 thrashing of Almeria on Saturday and limped off in the second half at the Estadio Juegos Mediterraneos after instantly asking to be substituted.

Having initially played down the severity of the issue, the club released a statement clarifying the situation.

"After X-ray tests carried out today on our player Cristiano Ronaldo by Real Madrid's medical services, an injury in his left thigh was detected," the statement read. "[His return to action] depends on the evolution of the injury."

Following the message from Madrid, reports in the Spanish press claim that Real could now be forced to be without Ronaldo for the next three weeks, with the time also being used for the player to recover from a recent toe injury.

Ronaldo may not return to the Madrid team until their La Liga clash at Osasuna on December 14.