Real Madrid News
Real Madrid will not take risks with defensive duo at Club World Cup following lengthy absences
In over a week, Real Madrid will kick off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign in the USA, hoping to an end the 2024/25 campaign on a high.
It will also mark the first time that the team will play under new manager Xabi Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the La Liga campaign in May.
As has already been reported, Real Madrid are set to be boosted by the returns of key defensive duo – Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao – for the Club World Cup.
Minimal action, zero risk
However, according to journalist Jorge Picon, Real Madrid do not want to take any unnecessary risks with Carvajal and Militao in the tournament.
Both the defenders are returning after prolonged absence due to ACL injuries that required surgery. While the pair has started individual training, they are nowhere near fully ready to play regularly.
As such, Real Madrid’s plan is for Carvajal and Militao to travel to the USA for the Club World Cup but not play any minutes.
Instead, the Merengues wish to make use of the tournament to help the key defensive duo get back into rhythm and shape by training regularly with the rest of the squad.
The idea is for the Spanish and Brazilian internationals to get back into the swing of things so that they are at a 100% when the new season begins in August.
So, as things stand, it is unlikely that Carvajal and Militao will play much at the Club World Cup. With the signings of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen secured, however, Real Madrid have cover in the positions.
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.
