Real Madrid on Thursday confirmed that its midfielder Dani Ceballos suffered a muscle injury in its 1-0 win away to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night.

Ceballos suffered the injury in a challenge with home player Take Kubo in the second half and had to be helped off the pitch in considerable pain.

Dani Ceballos (R) of Real Madrid vies with Pablo Barrios of Atletico de Madrid during a Spanish La Liga football match between Real Madrid and Atletico de Madrid in Madrid, Spain, Feb. 25, 2023. (Photo by Gustavo Valiente/Xinhua)

"Following tests carried out today on Dani Ceballos by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the semimembranosus muscle affecting the tendon in his left hamstring. His recovery will be assessed," confirmed the Real Madrid website.

Although the club failed to give a recovery time, the injury is likely to sideline Ceballos for at least two months, meaning he will miss the Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid and the quarterfinals if his side qualifies, as well as several La Liga matches and the return leg of the Copa del Rey semifinal.

"I'm very sad to have to stop at what I felt was my best moment of form," wrote Ceballos on social media, adding, "football isn't easy or fair, but I have to be strong facing up to this, I've come back from worse."

The former Betis and Arsenal player is a big loss for Real Madrid, given that the 28-year-old has been a regular starter in recent weeks for Carlo Ancelotti and has been playing arguably the best football of his career since joining the club in 2017.