The results have been satisfactory on the pitch, but not all is well in Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have suffered two major injuries and will go without two crucial starters for the whole of the 2023-24 season due to near-identical ligament tears. Thibaut Courtois was first, rupturing his ACL in training. Eder Militao did the same less than a week later, completing only 50 minutes of Madrid’s season.
And things have only gotten worse in recent days. Madrid are now without three presumptive starters due to various knocks, and could have to wait until January for the return of all of them.
Still, the results on the pitch have been excellent. Los Blancos are narrowly behind high-flyers Girona in La Liga, but seem poised to strike should the Catalunyan side slip.
90minsoccer takes a look at Real Madrid’s injury list, and how long they might be out for…
Has Vinicius Jr picked up the same injury?
Here we go again. The Brazilian missed a month at the start of the 2023-24 season after injuring his left hamstring. And in Brazil’s clash with Colombia on Thursday night, he seemed to sustain a similar knock, and needed to be removed from play after just 25 minutes. He has since been ruled out for the rest of the international break, and is poised to return to Madrid — where he will need further tests and rehabilitation. While the player himself insisted that the knock isn’t as bad as his previous ailment, he should still be sidelined for some time.
Expected return: It depends on the severity of the muscle injury. If the tweak is as minor as Vinicius suggested, he could return to action within a number of weeks. But should the tests reveal damage similar to that of the muscle pull in August, he will likely be out until January.
Is Aurelien Tchouameni fit?
The France midfielder seemed to be in pain during El Clasico, but completed all 90 minutes. After being pictured limping following the contest, scans revealed that Tchouameni had sustained a stress fracture in his left foot. He is expected to spend a significant spell on the sidelines.
Expected return: Tchouameni could be out for up to eight weeks, and will likely be looking at a return slightly before the hectic Christmas period.
How serious is Thibaut Courtois’ knee injury?
It doesn’t look good. The goalkeeper fell to the ground in training after making a routine save, and was later revealed to have ruptured his ACL. Courtois underwent surgery within a few days, and is certain to face a lengthy layoff for Madrid. He is almost certain to be out for the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign. Madrid have signed Kepa Arrizabalaga to fight for the No.1 shirt in his absence.
Expected return: Courtois should make a full recovery, but knee injuries take time. He should be ready to go at the start of next season.
Is Eder Militao out for the season?
The centre-back completed a miserable week for Madrid in early August, suffering the same serious knee injury as Courtois just a few days after. He needed helping off the pitch in Madrid’s season opener, and scans later confirmed that he, too, had torn his ACL.
Expected return: Courtois and Militao should be operating on roughly the same timeline. There’s a slim chance that the centre-back could be in contention before the end of the campaign, but the most likely outcome is a full return for the start of next season.
What happened to Eduardo Camavinga’s knee?
The midfielder went down in France training earlier this week with an apparent knee injury. Tests revealed that Camavinga is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, having torn the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee. Although typically not as serious as an ACL or meniscus injury, it will likely keep him out for up to 10 weeks.
Expected return: Camavinga is certain to miss the rest of the calendar year, and could be out of contention for most of January, too. An early February return to full fitness seems to be the best estimate.
