The Uruguayan suffered a "grade I-II muscle injury" to the adductor in his right leg, the club said in a statement on Monday after Gimenez underwent a hospital scan.

Atletico provided no timetable for the defender's return, but reports in the Spanish press suggested the 22-year-old would be sidelined for between one to two months.

Gimenez will miss the visit of holders Barcelona in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday as well as the return leg of the semi-final on February 7.

He is also likely to be unavailable for the first leg of the Champions League last 16 clash away to Bayer Leverkusen in three weeks' time.

Gimenez left the pitch in tears over the weekend as he was forced off in the 55th minute against Alaves but was quick to try and downplay the severity of his injury.

"I thank you from the heart for your affection but the tears were of helplessness rather than pain. I will soon be back helping my team," he wrote on his Twitter account.