Injuries are wreaking havoc on Real Madrid and every day there's bad news. The latest is David Alaba: Things are looking very grim for him.
Medical experts doubt that he'll be able to play soccer again. But Real Madrid is reluctant to accept this and hopes that the curse will end with the end of the season.
Eduardo Pidal, a journalist from Radioestadio, has put it bluntly. "Alaba is unable to complete two full training sessions due to pain, he barely has any cartilage, he isn't fit to play in that condition. I'm not saying there's no return date: There are those who think he won't play again this year."
Alaba hasn't trained with the group or played a single match for almost a year. It will be at least two years, best case scenario.
Alaba Got This in December 2023
Fortunately for him, Florentino Pérez signed him until 2026. It's also true, though, that Real Madrid never let down their injured players, as was recently demonstrated with Dani Carvajal.
Alaba is currently continuing his recovery with no date set for his return. Alaba tore the cruciate ligament in his left leg while playing against Villarreal on December 17, 2023.
Ten months later, doctors see no light at the end of the tunnel. Alaba has had two surgeries and several cleaning sessions, which have damaged the cartilage. Every time he's tried to push himself, he had to give up due to the intense pain he suffered.
Ancelotti has three center-backs left: Militão, Rüdiger and Vallejo, although he doesn't count on the latter at all. He prefers Tchouaméni, although he also has Jacobo Ramón, but Madrid's coach is not in favor of giving opportunities to youth players.
The problem is that neither Militão nor Rüdiger are immune to injuries. The risk of their getting injured is causing concern at the Bernabéu.
Neither Nacho, nor Leny Yoro nor Rafa Marín
Real Madrid was able to solve this problem last summer. They had agreed to sign Leny Yoro, who ultimately decided to join Manchester United.
The Frenchman's refusal coincided with Nacho's departure and Rafa Marín's transfer to Napoli.
But the situation is critical and Real Madrid is forced to react during the next winter transfer window. Ancelotti had used Carvajal on some occasions to play as a center-back, but this option is no longer possible.
The possibility of recovering Rafa Marín, now at Napoli after a splendid season at Alavés last year, remains on the horizon. Marín hasn't yet made his debut under Antonio Conte and could be a valid option .