Real Madrid News
Real Madrid expect star defender to be fit after the international break
Injuries have spoiled the party for Real Madrid this season with Los Blancos being hit by a severe blow in terms of personnel across the field, primarily in defence.
Despite starting off the season with reasonable depth in the department, one major blow that has left them struggling is the injury to Eder Militao.
After all, the player’s relatively long-term setback left the team without a regular starter for months, leaving the manager struggling to cope with limited resources.
Light at the end of the tunnel
Now, as relayed by Sergio Quirante, Real Madrid expect Militao to be back and fit after the upcoming international break.
His recovery has gone well and he feels good now. He even completed part of the training with the group today and is at the cusp of a return.
Militao last played for Real Madrid this season when the team took on Celta Vigo in early December. He has been out for over three months, as was initially expected from his injury.
Having him back after the international break, needless to say, would arrive as a massive boost for Alvaro Arbeloa and Co. especially given how they have two crucial games against Bayern Munich in the span of ten days at the time.
So far this season, Militao has made 13 La Liga appearances for Los Blancos with four clean sheets to his name. He averages over ten defensive actions per game and has two goal contributions in the competition.
Just when it appeared that Militao’s return would help the team get out of their injury issues, however, Real Madrid have been dealt with another concurrent blow with Thibaut Courtois suffering a muscle injury.
The goalkeeper will be out for six weeks and miss vital games, including the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals and semifinals, which comes as a massive blow to Arbeloa’s plans.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar expected to start vs Villarreal after returning to Spain to continue recovery
Kylian Mbappe is already back in Madrid. The Real Madrid forward landed at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport this morning accompanied by his partner, Ester Exposito, at 11:16am, according to AS.
Real Madrid were training at Valdebebas from 10:30 am, so it is clear that the Frenchman did not take part in that session.
However, he is expected at Valdebebas later today to continue his recovery and reconditioning after the knee problem he suffered, which will not prevent him from playing against Villarreal, the report further states.
What happened to Mbappe?
Mbappe suffered significant pain in his left knee during the first of France’s four matches during this international break. It was Zinedine Zidane’s debut as national team manager and the Real Madrid attacker scored the only goal of the match.
🚨 MBAPPÉ YA ESTÁ en MADRID🚨 ✈️El francés ha aterrizado a las 11:16h en la capital. 👉 El Real Madrid entrenaba hoy a las 10:30h. 📹 @marcosbenito9 https://t.co/R04FwEwHcB
— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) October 5, 2026
As he struck the ball, he felt the discomfort and requested for a substitution. At Real Madrid, they believe that had he continued, the problem could have required surgery.
The striker travelled to Spain to undergo tests, and the medical examination determined that he had “hyperextension of the posterior capsule of the left knee”.
As this was the same knee in which Mbappe suffered a serious sprain last season, there was concern at Valdebebas. However, the problem has proved to be minor and Mourinho is counting on Mbappe for the match against Villarreal on 10 October.
Active rest and recovery
After the tests, Mbappe was given permission to spend a few days on active rest under the supervision of Real Madrid’s medical staff.
He spent just under a week away from Madrid as part of a recovery plan in which coordination between the player, coaching staff and doctors was complete.
The France captain is now expected at Valdebebas to gradually readjust to the rhythm of the rest of the squad as the internationals return to training, with Saturday’s match in mind, where he is expected to start.
This comes as good news for Jose Mourinho, who needs the Frenchman, who has scored eight goals this term, at his best to get Real Madrid’s season back on track.
After all, Real Madrid are six points behind Barcelona in La Liga and are approaching a crucial period of the season.
