Javier Mascherano suffers right thigh contusion, doesn't have muscle injury

Javier Mascherano is breathing easy.

After the River Plate product was forced to exit the pitch in the opening minutes of Saturday's El Clasico, he underwent tests Sunday that confirmed a contusion on his right thigh and dismissed any fears of a muscular injury.

Mascherano looked to have injured his groin after a challenge from James Rodriguez left him down in the 16th minute. He attempted to play through the pain, but was replaced by Jeremy Mathieu 10 minutes later, bringing an end to his involvement in European club football's biggest fixture.

Since arriving at the Camp Nou five years ago, Mascherano has avoided injury like the plague, averaging 27.8 appearances per La Liga season.