Real Madrid defender denies injury reports, confirms availability for US tour

Real Madrid are preparing for their customary US pre-season tour, an annual tradition designed to help the team shake off the rust and get back into top form.

The Merengues are expected to give valuable game time to fringe players and those not regularly in the starting XI.

Among them is Jesus Vallejo, who recently returned from a loan spell at Granada. With current defensive depletions and limited options, the Spaniard was expected to feature prominently and make a strong case for his continued inclusion.

However, recent reports indicated that Vallejo’s participation in the pre-season tour is in doubt due to a muscular injury sustained during training.

Vallejo denies being injured

Indeed, the 27-year-old centre-back has personally refuted these claims, denying any reports of being injured.

He took to his X account with a picture of a report stating he was injured and wrote the caption: “The information is not correct. I am not injured and I am travelling to the US tour.”

Esta información no es correcta. No estoy lesionado y sí viajo a la Gira de EEUU. 😄⚽️ #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Rus6mpayie

— Jesús Vallejo (@JesusVallejo) July 27, 2024

This will come across as a relief for the Madrid faithful considering the lack of first-team options Real Madrid have at their disposal.

With Nacho Fernandez and Rafa Marin’s departures and the club’s inability to sign Leny Yoro, Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger are the only available centre-backs, as David Alaba remains sidelined with an injury.

Vallejo’s contract at Real Madrid expires in 2025, meaning this could be his final season at Santiago Bernabeu.

If everything goes well at the pre-season tour, Vallejo will become a part of Carlo Ancelotti’s plans for next season, with the defender already occupying the number 18 shirt.