Real Madrid News
Real Madrid sweating over the availability of key full-back for Manchester City clash
Real Madrid have a huge challenge ahead of them next week as they take on Manchester City in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Merengues are already set to be with some important players for the game as the likes of Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Eder Militao, Rodrygo, and Dani Ceballos, while David Alaba also remains a doubt.
Alvaro Carreras could miss Man City clash
Now, according to AS, Real Madrid key defender Alvaro Carreras is also a doubt to play against Manchester City next week.
The summer signing already missed the last game against Celta Vigo on Friday night, but that was due to suspension.
However, it has now emerged that he is still suffering from pain in his left calf, an issue that originated after a heavy knock during the match against Getafe on Monday.
Initially, the problem did not appear serious, but lingering discomfort has raised concerns.
Four days before the major Champions League showdown, the defender did not train on the pitch at Valdebebas. Instead, he worked in the gym and underwent physiotherapy, focusing on recovery.
While there is still optimism inside the club, Carreras’ condition will be evaluated day by day. If he cannot play, the likely replacement at left-back would be Ferland Mendy.
The Frenchman made his first appearance under Alvaro Arbeloa against Celta Vigo on Friday and the manager was impressed with what he saw from the veteran Frenchman.
So, he could end up being ahead of Fran Garcia once again, although Real Madrid will be hoping to have Carreras back in time for Manchester City.
With the football awards season almost upon us, Tuttosport has released the list of the Top 25 finalists for the 2026 Golden Boy Award.
The prize recognises the best Under-21 player at a European club, and two Real Madrid stars have made the cut for the final 25 candidates for this year.
Indeed, summer signing Yan Diomande, who joined the club from RB Leipzig in a mammoth €140 million deal, features on the list, currently occupying the fourth place in the rankings.
The 19-year-old Ivorian winger had an impressive breakthrough season at Leipzig in 2025/26 and is growing in stature at Real Madrid in recent weeks, earning him a nomination for the prize.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟐𝟓 𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄! We present the 𝟐𝟓 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐮𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐲, the award celebrating the best U21 players competing in European football leagues https://t.co/9wpeiW48RV
— Golden Boy (@GoldenBoyAwards) October 5, 2026
The second Real Madrid player on the list happens to be Endrick, who excelled during his loan spell at Olympique Lyon during the second half of the 2025/26 campaign.
As things stand, however, FC Barcelona defender Pau Cubarsi is the frontrunner for the Golden Boy Award, followed by Ayyoub Bouaddi of Manchester City and Warren Zaire-Emery of Paris Saint-Germain.
The final list also includes Victor Froholdt (Porto), Rayan (Bournemouth), Jorrel Hato (Chelsea), Estevao (Chelsea), Lennart Karl (Bayern Munich), Luka Vuskovic (Brighton), Jon Martin (Real Sociedad), and Eli Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth), among others.
Also featuring is Real Madrid’s defensive target for the summer Finn Jeltsch of VfB Stuttgart, while Barcelona duo Xavi Espart and Marc Bernal also make the cut.
