The international defender has been struggling since last December but Real's doctors submitted him to treatment keeping the surgery as a last option.

The 27-year old player will be out of action for three months and then he'll start rehabilitation.

Spanish newspaper Marca revealed that the Real bosses told Germany coach Joachim Loew earlier in the day that the injury in his left foot required an operation.

Coach Bernd Schuster will have a lot of troubles to put his squad for next weekend tie against Valladolid as he will miss 8 key players.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Javier Saviola, Miguel Torres and Pepe have been ruled out with injuries while Guti and Fernando Gago are still doubtful.

Wesley Sneijder picked up an automatic ban after collecting five yellow cards since the beginning of the season.

Real hoping to bounce back from last week's stunning defeat from Almeria 2-0.