Real Madrid News
Real Madrid’s plan to revolutionise injury prevention through the use of AI – report
Real Madrid have had to deal with a lot of injury problems over the past couple of years that have had a critical impact on their season.
Muscle injuries to key players, especially during the 2024/25 campaign, became a key concern for the Spanish capital club, leading to the revamp of the club’s medical department.
Use of AI as key tool to prevent injuries
According to MARCA, following the departure of Niko Mihic as head of medical services at the end of last season, Real Madrid have sought to revolutionise their methodology with one clear aim: to minimise injuries, especially muscular ones, which heavily affected the team in recent campaigns.
Given the increasing workload and the intensity of modern football, it is impossible to eliminate injuries completely. The goal, however, is to reduce them to an absolute minimum, even identifying potential problems before they occur.
To achieve this, Real Madrid’s renewed medical team are turning to a powerful ally: Artificial Intelligence.
Until now, clubs relied on tools such as GPS trackers, heart monitors, and personalised questionnaires to monitor players’ conditions. From this season, however, Real Madrid have added AI to the process, although full implementation will take two to three months.
The system integrates all medical data for each player, creating personalised profiles to generate alerts when there is a risk of injury.
Two key metrics
As per the report, Real Madrid’s medical services have added two key metrics to traditional methods, enhancing early detection of potential injuries.
The first is sectoral BIA, which analyses aspects such as resistance, reactance (reaction speed), and the phase angle (PhA). This measurement detects hidden muscle fatigue, inflammation, or micro-injuries, often unnoticed even by the players themselves.
The second is metabolomics, a technique that examines metabolites in urine and blood. It provides the ‘chemical footprint’ of physical exertion, revealing what occurs in a player’s body after each match or training session.
Both sectoral BIA and metabolomics are now integrated into the AI system. When abnormal values appear, the technology signals the need for preventive action, such as resting a player or limiting their minutes on the pitch.
Real Madrid’s new AI-based project is designed to operate at every level of the club, aiming to reduce the impact of muscular injuries across all squads.
Real Madrid youngster Endrick continues to attract interest from several clubs ahead of another potential loan move in the upcoming January transfer window.
The latest side considering a move for the Brazilian forward is Aston Villa.
Indeed, according to reports relayed by Bernabeu Digital, the Premier League club are interested in signing the Real Madrid striker on loan in January.
No minutes for Endrick
Endrick has had very limited opportunities under Jose Mourinho this season. Across Real Madrid’s nine matches in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, the Brazilian has played just four minutes, coming on in the 86th minute against Elche.
Such limited playing time has left the young forward struggling to gain the minutes and experience needed to develop his talent at Real Madrid.
As such, another loan move, like last January when he left for Olympique Lyon, could offer him a chance to play more regularly and continue his progression.
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, have now emerged as an interested party to acquire the Brazilian international’s services on loan for the second half of the season.
AC Milan also interested in Endrick
Howver, Aston Villa are not the only club monitoring Endrick’s situation. AC Milan have also renewed their interest in the Brazilian forward.
The Rossoneri already held an interest in the 20-year-old forward during the summer transfer window and are knocking on the doors once again now.
In fact, some reports in Italy even go on to suggest that the youngster is ready to pounce on the opportunity to sign for the Serie A giants.
For now, however, there have been no concrete developments or formal approaches from any interested club.
Real Madrid are understood to be open to allowing Endrick to leave on loan, but they are not considering a permanent sale as they still have a lot of faith in the promising attacker whom they signed from Palmeiras.
With Aston Villa and AC Milan both interested, the coming months could prove important in determining where the young Brazilian will continue his development.
