Scans proved that the Portugal center-half tore a quadriceps muscle, that will rule him out of action for three or four weeks.

The former Porto man will miss crucial league encounters against Sevilla, Barcelona and Valencia in the upcoming weeks.

Pepe joins Wesley Sneijder and Miguel Torres on the injury list, as Real count more losses after the Getafe stumble.

Los Merengues have already lost key frontman Ruud Van Nistelrooy for the rest of the season due to a serious knee injury.