Real Madrid News
Real Madrid veteran will be out for more than a year after latest injury setback – report
Last week, against RCD Espanyol, Real Madrid lost veteran full-back Ferland Mendy to yet another injury.
The club issued a statement earlier in the week confirming that he had suffered a rectus femoris tendon injury in his right leg, following which he is now scheduled to undergo surgery.
Initial details suggested that the French defender would be out of action for five months after the surgery. But, it appears that the problem is much more concerning than that.
Mendy could be out for at least a year
Indeed, according to journalist Miguel Angel Diaz of COPE, Mendy could be out of action for at least a year following his latest injury setback.
The update claims that the left-back’s injury is far more serious than initially believed – there is a tendon tear with bone separation.
As such, he would be out of action for a year at the very least, meaning he will not be returning to action until the final phase of the 2026/27 season.
This comes as a huge blow for both Mendy and Real Madrid, given that the Frenchman had shown, on the few occasions that he was fully fit this season, that he was a reliable operator on the left side of the defence.
The former Olympique Lyon ace has spent a large portion of recent seasons out on the sidelines with one injury after another and the current blow means a departure in the summer can pretty much be ruled out.
Mendy’s contract with Real Madrid runs until the summer of 2028. The focus will be on getting through the surgery without any issues and then focusing on recovery and rehabilitation so as to make a comeback sooner rather than later.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid dressing room heavyweight raises concern over Vinicius: “We have to make him happy again”
One of the major sagas of the summer transfer window was the contract renewal involving Vinicius Junior.
Real Madrid and Vinicius had been in talks over a new deal for a significant period, and there were stages when it felt like an agreement might not be reached.
However, in the end, the film had a happy ending, with the 26-year-old putting pen to paper on a new deal at the club.
Despite the new deal, there are some concerns over Vinicius that have now reached the dressing room.
As quoted by Diario AS, an unnamed dressing-room heavyweight approached Mourinho after the game and expressed worry about the treatment Vinicius is receiving from a section of the Bernabeu crowd.
“Worried about Vini
The concern came after Vinicius was heavily whistled when he was substituted late in the Inter match, despite producing one of his stronger collective performances of the season.
“Boss, I am worried about Vini,” the senior player told Mourinho.
“After everything he has done for Madrid over the years, the way part of the fans have treated him is not normal. We have to make him happy again.”
This is no longer only about outside criticism or Mourinho publicly defending one of his forwards. The dressing room itself has recognised that Vinicius may need support.
Mourinho still sees Vinicius as untouchable
Despite how the crowd have been treating the 26-year-old, within the club, there is no doubt about what Vinicius brings to the table.
Mourinho sees him as one of the first names on the team sheet and an untouchable player in his plans for the club.
To his credit, the Brazilian has shown far greater defensive commitment and a willingness to sacrifice himself for the sake of his team.
This has undoubtedly led Mourinho to appreciate the effort, and the manager is determined to help Vinicius return to his best level.
Madrid need to protect one of their key players
That approach makes sense.
Vinicius has spent years carrying enormous attacking responsibility at Madrid. A difficult spell should not suddenly erase what he has already shown he can provide.
If Mourinho, the president and the dressing room are all united behind Vinicius, that support could be decisive.
It is high time the Bernabeu crowd also got behind their talisman and gave him the support he deserves.
The Brazilian will also have to become more consistent with his performances, and it remains to be seen how Mourinho addresses this situation.
