Real Madrid News
Rising injuries put Real Madrid in a state of extreme concern – report
Real Madrid’s injury crisis has taken on alarming proportions in Xabi Alonso’s debut season, mirroring the difficulties the club faced throughout the 2024/25 campaign.
What many hoped would improve under a new coaching structure has instead spiralled into an even deeper problem, one that the club appears increasingly unable to control or fully understand.
To put things in perspective, the numbers are staggering, as 23 out of 25 first-team players have already suffered injuries this season.
In fact, as reported by Mundo Deportivo, the scale of the problem has left club puzzled, frustrated and urgently searching for answers.
Internally, there is growing disbelief over how such an avalanche of injuries could occur in such a short window of time.
What is going on at Real Madrid?
Notably, Alonso arrived with a new fitness coach and a revamped training methodology, intended to modernise the team’s physical preparation.
But within the club, suspicion is beginning to grow that these changes may be playing a key role in the current injury epidemic.
While officials do acknowledge that the pre-season was unusual and that a congested schedule has added strain, they refuse to attribute the crisis solely to those factors.
Amid the confusion, one name has resurfaced with increasing frequency is that of Antonio Pintus.
The renowned fitness coach remains at Real Madrid but was removed from first-team responsibilities once Alonso took over.
Was it a mistake?
Now, with injuries piling up, several voices are beginning to wonder whether sidelining Pintus was a mistake.
However, the debate is far from straightforward. While Pintus is revered for his demanding physical programmes, it is also true that the injury record during his tenure was far from spotless.
For now, Real Madrid are left trying to strike a balance between immediate necessities and long-term planning.
What is undeniable is that the injury chaos is severely compromising the team’s performance. In fact, it is destabilising all the preparations of Alonso’s project.
As the summer transfer window enters its critical final phase, Real Madrid’s La Fabrica is once again the subject of intense scrutiny from clubs across the Spanish football pyramid.
The latest prospect to draw significant attention is 22-year-old right-back David Jimenez, who has emerged as a concrete target for both UD Almeria and Real Oviedo.
Indeed, according to journalist Angel Garcia, both Almeria and Oviedo have formally enquired about the defender’s situation, viewing him as an ideal reinforcement for their respective backlines.
While Cadiz also made an initial approach to gauge the player’s availability, the journalist suggests that Jimenez is not currently considered a priority option for the Andalusian club, who are focusing their efforts on other alternatives.
A proven academy talent
Jimenez, a tenacious and attack-minded full-back, has long been regarded as one of the most consistent performers at Real Madrid Castilla.
His senior breakthrough finally arrived during the 2025/26 campaign, as he made his official first-team debut on 17 December 2025 in a Copa del Rey fixture against CF Talavera de la Reina.
Handed a start by then-manager Xabi Alonso, Jimenez played the full 90 minutes in a hard-fought 3-2 victory, impressing with his defensive work rate and maturity.
He followed this milestone with his La Liga bow just days later, appearing as a substitute against Sevilla in late December. In total, Jiménez has racked up four senior appearances for Los Blancos – two in the league and two in the cup.
Notably, he was handed his first league start on 8 February 2026 against Valencia by Alvaro Arbeloa, where he delivered a disciplined 76-minute performance in a 2-0 win, helping his side keep a clean sheet at the Mestalla.
The search for regular football
Despite his successful integration into the first-team dynamic, the pathway to a regular starting spot remains obstructed by established heavyweights in the Real Madrid squad.
After all, Trent Alexander-Arnold was already ahead of him in the pecking order and the Merengues roped in Denzel Dumfries this summer.
With his contract running until 2027 and over 70 appearances for Castilla under his belt, the consensus is that Jimenez has outgrown youth football and requires consistent minutes in a competitive senior environment.
As such, he has been tipped to leave the club, along with fellow Castilla teammate Manuel Angel before the window closes.
Real Madrid are expected to weigh their options carefully, likely preferring a loan deal or a sale with a buy-back clause to retain control over the youngster’s promising future.
