Despite having just suffered one defeat this season, Real Madrid’s squad is set to face its toughest test in the coming weeks.
Injuries have began to ramp up for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, with a plethora of the club’s top talents facing spells on the sidelines. With the hectic winter schedule on the horizon, Madrid may be left short during one of the busiest and most pivotal periods of the season.
Here is the latest news on Madrid’s extensive injury concerns.
Issue: Shoulder
Potential return: Unknown
The most in-form player in Europe this season, Jude Bellingham has been in sensational form for Madrid since his arrival in Spain. However, the 20-year-old missed his side’s demolition of Valencia before the international break, and also had to withdraw from the England squad, due to a shoulder problem.
The Englishman will undergo further tests to determine the severity of his issue, with Bellingham potentially returning after the international break if the problem isn’t too serious.
Ancelotti will be keeping his fingers crossed for a positive prognosis.
Issue: Thigh
Potential return: Start of 2024
Real Madrid’s worst fears were realised during the November international break, as Vinicius Junior suffered a serious injury during Brazil’s defeat to Colombia. The winger hobbled off after suffering a tear in the femoral biceps of his left leg.
Vinicius has already missed a month of football this season with a thigh injury and always proves a big miss whenever he’s absent at the Santiago Bernabeu. However, the forward’s injury is far more severe than his previous ailment and he is now set for a projected two-and-a-half months on the sidelines.
Issue: Knee
Potential return: Start of 2024
Vinicius’ long-term injury means he will join Eduardo Camavinga in the treatment room after the midfielder suffered a ruptured ligament in his right knee. Having had to withdraw from the France squad over the international break, he’s set to miss eight to ten weeks of club action.
That timeframe means the Frenchman would be absent until 2024, adding his name to an extensive injury list in the Spanish capital.
Issue: Foot
Potential return: Start of 2024
After suffering a stress fracture in his foot during El Clasico against Barcelona, Tchouameni is another midfield absentee for Ancelotti.
The midfielder is set for a minimum of two months on the treatment table, meaning the France international could return at the beginning of 2024.
Issue: Knee
Potential return: March 2024
Having been missing since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury back in August, Militao is still some way off returning to the Madrid lineup. The centre-back was substituted during his side’s La Liga opener in floods of tears.
The Brazilian’s absence has been felt by Ancelotti and the veteran coach will be without Militao until March 2024 as he continues his long road to recovery.
Issue: Knee
Potential return: March 2024
Just days before Militao suffered his long-term injury in August, Thibaut Courtois also fell victim to an ACL tear in training. The goalkeeper is yet to play for Madrid this season, with loanee Kepa Arrizabalaga replacing the Belgian shot-stopper in goal.
Similarly to Militao, Courtois won’t return for club or country until March 2024, by which point he will have been out of action for seven months.
Issue: Muscle
Potential return: December 2023
With Courtois sidelined until next March, Kepa has been relied upon to fill his shoes. However, the Spaniard is now absent as well, picking up a muscle injury before Madrid’s clash with Braga in the Champions League.
The goalkeeper, who is on loan from Chelsea, will most likely come back into the fold at the beginning of December.
Issue: Muscle
Potential return: December 2023
Young Arda Guler hasn’t had much luck with injuries since arriving at the Bernabeu, with the 18-year-old yet to feature for Madrid since his summer move. While the four-cap Turkey international would only have been a peripheral figure in Ancelotti’s squad, his absence has still left Madrid light of rotation options.
Having suffered another recent muscle injury, Guler is unlikely to feature for Madrid until the beginning of December at the earliest.
Issue: Muscle
Potential return: End of international break
With Dani Ceballos now back in training with Madrid, the Spaniard could be a much-needed option for Ancelotti in midfield.
The former Arsenal man could return after the November international break and may be thrust into action immediately due to Madrid’s lack of options.
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