Fate has not been kind to Rafael Benitez since his arrival at the Bernabeu. Nonetheless, the 55-year-old Spanish manager has steered Real Madrid to positive results this season despite several key players returning hurt or fatigued from international engagements. Now, another Galactico has been hit by the dreaded FIFA Virus.

Real Madrid will battle Paris Saint-Germain without the services of Gareth Bale, who only played 45 minutes in the 3-0 victory against Levante over the weekend. Benitez told Spanish media that the Welsh midfielder was replaced during half of the game due to fatigue. Bale suited up twice for the Wales team during the international break, as per Goal.

It was later revealed that fatigue wasn't the only reason Bale was taken off the pitch. The 26-year-old is said to be nursing a calf injury and will be sidelined for three to four weeks.

Bale has been receiving flak in Madrid for his apparent preference for representing Wales rather than saving his energy for Los Blancos' title bid this season. Benitez quickly defended his winger on Tuesday.

"Bale wanted to keep playing against Levante because he likes to be involved and he has a great attitude," Benitez quipped.

With this latest development, Real Madrid is forced to endure the next month or so without the club's big summer signings from 2013 and 2014, Bale and James Rodriguez. Not only that, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal, Pepe and Danilo have also been bitten by the FIFA Virus.

Danilo and Rodriguez were both injured in September. The Brazilian defender has just recently returned to action after spending five weeks rehabbing his broken foot, which he incurred in a friendly game versus the U.S. Meanwhile, the Columbian injured his thigh against Peru and is still out following a relapse early this month.

Luka Modric also injured the adductor muscle on his thigh in Croatia's Euro 2016 qualifier match versus Bulgaria.

As for Benzema, the French Striker has been out for two weeks after suffering a hamstring strain in France's 4-0 win against Armenia, in which he contributed two goals and one assist, ESPN FC reported.

Real Madrid will surely feel the 27-year old's absence as he leads La Liga in scoring with six goals in six matches, basically carrying the squad on his heels this season. Of course, the ever-talented Cristiano Ronaldo is present to pick up the scoring slack with five goals already to his name, but they were all in one match against Espanyol.