MADRID, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid will be without French international striker Karim Benzema for around three weeks as a result of the groin injury he picked up in his side's 1-1 draw away to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Benzema lasted just 12 minutes of the game before being replaced by Gonzalo Higuain. He suffered the injury while taking a shot at the CSKA goal and immediately went down asking for assistance.
Tests in Madrid this Wednesday confirmed he has a slight tear in his groin that will need around three weeks to heal.
That means he will miss Madrid's next two league games, which are away to Rayo Vallecano and at home to Espanyol, as well as the return leg against CSKA.
Benzema will also be unable to play for France in their friendly game against Germany on February 29.
His loss is a big blow to Madrid as the striker has been in what is probably the best form he has shown since joining the club from Olympic Lyon two and a half years ago, but the good news for the club is that his replacement, Higuain is the third highest scorer in the BBVA Primera Liga with 14 goals this campaign.