Los Blancos haven’t had a good international break in November as their ailments are beginning to pile up.
Although the on-field results have been encouraging, things are not perfect in Madrid. The team under Carlo Ancelotti has sustained two serious injuries and will be missing two key players for the entirety of the 2023–24 campaign because of nearly similar ligament rips. First, while training, Thibaut Courtois ruptured his ACL. Less than a week later, Eder Militao did the same, seeing barely 50 minutes of Madrid’s season through.
Furthermore, the situation has only become worse lately. Due to a variety of injuries, Madrid is now without three expected starters and may not have them back until January.
Nevertheless, there has been great progress on the field. Though they trail Girona, the league’s top team, by a slight margin, Los Blancos appear ready to attack should the Catalan team falter.
GOAL examines Real Madrid’s injury list and projects their potential absence times.
Has Vinicius Jr. sustained the same wound?
Again, here we go. The Brazilian’s left hamstring injury kept him out of action for a month at the beginning of the 2023–24 campaign. Additionally, he seemed to take a similar hit during Thursday night’s Brazil vs. Colombia match and had to be taken out of the game after just 27 minutes. Testing has indicated that Vinicius’s injury may not have been as severe as his prior knock, despite his own claims to the contrary. He will be out for a minimum of ten weeks due to tendon injury and a hamstring strain.
Anticipated return: Madrid’s best player is expected to be out for a considerable amount of time and may not return until far into the new year. Although a comeback for the Madrid derby on February 4 may be more likely, a Spanish Super Cup appearance on January 12 is still conceivable.
Aurelien Tchouameni: is he suitable?
Despite appearing to be in discomfort during El Clasico, the France midfielder played the full 90 minutes. Following the competition, Tchouameni was seen to be limping; examinations showed that he had suffered a stress fracture to his left foot. He is anticipated to be out for an extended period of time.
Anticipated return: Tchouameni is expected to return a few weeks ahead of the busy Christmas season, after a possible eight-week absence.
It seems unprofessional. After making a routine stop in training, the goalie went down, and it was later discovered that he had ruptured his ACL. In a few of days, Courtois had surgery, and Madrid will undoubtedly have to place him on an extended leave of absence. It is quite likely that he will miss the full 2023–24 season due to injury. In his place, Kepa Arrizabalaga has joined Real Madrid to compete for the starting jersey.
Anticipated return: Although knee injuries take time to heal, Courtois should recover completely. When the upcoming season begins, he need to be prepared to go.
Early in August, following a terrible week for Madrid, the center-back suffered the same catastrophic knee injury as Courtois a few days later. In the first game of the season for Madrid, he required assistance off the field, and tests subsequently revealed that he had also ruptured his ACL.
Anticipated return: It seems like Courtois and Militao will be functioning almost simultaneously. The center back’s chances of being in contention before the season ends are small, but a complete recovery for the start of the following season is the most likely scenario.
The midfield player seems to have injured his knee while training earlier this week in France. Tests showed that Camavinga had damaged the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee, which would need a protracted recovery. It is usually not as catastrophic as a meniscus or ACL tear, but it will probably sideline him for ten weeks or longer.
Anticipated return: Camavinga will undoubtedly miss the remainder of the year and may not be able to compete for the whole of January. The best estimate appears to be a return to full fitness by early February.
