Real Madrid News
Raul Albiol opens up on Real Madrid exit and missed Champions League glory – ‘Wanted to feel valued’
Former Real Madrid defender Raul Albiol has opened up about his time at the club, revealing that while he could have stayed and potentially lifted multiple UEFA Champions League titles, he chose to leave in search of regular football.
In an honest reflection during an interview with AS, Albiol shared his experiences at the Santiago Bernabeu, the challenges he faced, and the difficult decision that shaped his career.
Albiol joined Real Madrid in 2009 and spent four seasons with Los Blancos before moving to Napoli in 2013.
His first year was particularly memorable, as it coincided with the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo and the final season of club legend Raul.
A season of icons and high expectations
“It was a pleasure to play with Raul,” said Albiol. “I grew up watching him, and to share a dressing room with him was an honour.
“That season was also special because Cristiano, Benzema, Kaka, and Xabi Alonso arrived. The squad was massive, full of stars, and although we didn’t win any trophies that year, it was still a great experience.”
Despite the big names and high hopes, Real Madrid failed to win silverware that season. However, the memories and lessons from that time remain important to Albiol.
Leaving Real Madrid for the love of the game
When asked whether he regretted leaving the club, Albiol admitted that it wasn’t an easy choice.
“Few players leave Real Madrid with four years left on their contract. I had to choose between staying with limited minutes or leaving to play regularly,” he explained.
He acknowledged that staying might have meant lifting multiple Champions League trophies. “If I had stayed, I could have won one, two, maybe even four Champions League titles. But at that time, I needed to feel like a footballer again.”
Albiol’s decision came before Carlo Ancelotti took over as manager. Without guarantees of playing time, he opted for a fresh start elsewhere.
“The easiest thing would have been to stay at Real Madrid. I was at the best club in the world. But I chose to play, and that’s what mattered most to me.
“I needed to feel like a footballer, and that’s how I decided. In the end, I didn’t look at other things.
“I was looking for other things: to feel good about myself, to feel valued, and to play and compete at a high level again, and Napoli gave me that,” he concluded.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender takes major step towards comeback; set for return after international break
Real Madrid are finally beginning to see a clear path back for Eder Militao, with the defender now in the final phase of his rehabilitation and increasingly expected to return after the next international break.
Militao has been sidelined since suffering a tear to the proximal biceps femoris tendon in his left leg during the meeting with Alaves last April.
The injury required surgery, but his recovery has now reached a stage where his return can be discussed in more concrete terms.
Militao steps up rehabilitation at Valdebebas
While Real Madrid completed their preparations for Tuesday night’s trip to Elche, Militao was working separately from the main group at the Valdebebas Training Centre.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the Brazilian defender carried out specific exercises with the club’s rehabilitation staff and physiotherapists on pitches 1 and 2.
The work represents another step in a recovery process that has kept him away from competitive action for several months.
Mind you, Militao will not be involved against Elche, but the latest signs are considerably more encouraging for what comes next.
Return now expected after international break
The timeline surrounding Militao’s comeback is finally becoming clearer. Provided his recovery continues at its current pace, Real Madrid expect the centre-back to be available to Mourinho once the international break is over.
That break is scheduled to take place from the end of September into the first week of October, meaning Militao could be back by mid-October at the latest.
For a defender who has endured another significant spell on the sidelines, simply having a defined target gives an important moment in his rehabilitation.
Real Madrid still missing players
Militao’s progress is particularly welcome because Real Madrid continue to deal with several absences in the squad.
On that note, Rodrygo and Ferland Mendy remain on the injury list and are not expected to return as quickly as Militao.
Both these players are therefore ruled out of the Elche fixture, leaving Mourinho without several established options.
Beyond Elche, though, Militao’s return offers Real Madrid something far more valuable: another experienced defensive option for the demanding weeks ahead.
After surgery and months of rehabilitation, the Brazilian is now entering the final stretch, and if there are no setbacks, Real Madrid could have their defender back in the squad around the middle of October.
