Real Madrid: Eder Militão Faces Another Devastating Injury

Just as Eder Militão was regaining his form after enduring two consecutive anterior cruciate ligament injuries, he has suffered another severe setback. The Brazilian defender collapsed during a match last Sunday, abruptly halting his run and succumbing to a jarring pain in his thigh. This incident occurred during a seemingly innocuous moment on the pitch, as he contested for the ball in a play that was rendered irrelevant by an offside call. However, the implications of this injury are far from trivial.

Medical examinations confirmed the worst fears: Militão has sustained a severe injury to his biceps femoris, impacting the proximal tendon. As noted by AS, such muscular injuries are among the most challenging to recover from. Speculations suggest that his recovery could take anywhere from four to six months, a timeline that is particularly concerning as it coincides with the critical phase of the season and the impending preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

Real Madrid and Brazil Hold Their Breath

The gravity of this situation is underscored by insights from João Barboza, a renowned physiotherapist and member of Brazil’s National Sports Physiotherapy Society. He emphasizes that the severity of Militão’s injury stems from its dual impact on both muscle and tendon—areas that are less vascularized and thus heal more slowly. “When a tendon is involved, recovery timelines extend significantly,” Barboza stated emphatically.

The biceps femoris is part of the hamstring group, crucial for explosive running phases, especially during abrupt stops following sprints. Barboza explains that Militão’s injury mechanism aligns perfectly with this type of rupture: a sudden deceleration combined with trunk contact leads to immense stress on the tissue. During maximum sprints, hamstring strain can rise up to 80% above normal levels.

A Nightmare Medical History

The situation is further complicated by Militão’s troubling medical history, having previously endured two anterior cruciate ligament tears between 2023 and 2024. Typically, grafts used in these reconstructions are harvested from the hamstrings themselves, which raises concerns about future injuries. Barboza bluntly states that this increases the likelihood of re-injury by approximately 50% once he returns to competitive play.

The specific location of his pain near the gluteal region—where the biceps femoris tendon inserts—confirms the severity of his diagnosis. Medical forecasts suggest that recovery could stretch into April, just before crucial matches for both Real Madrid and Brazil. Barboza warns against any premature return: “If an athlete isn’t gradually reintroduced to high-risk activities such as accelerations and sprints exceeding 25 km/h, the risk of re-injury remains alarmingly high.” Studies show that nearly 30% of players suffer subsequent hamstring injuries after rushed comebacks.

The challenge ahead for Real Madrid is monumental. As Barboza articulates, rebuilding Militão must be done meticulously—step by step—to ensure a solid return with minimized re-injury risks. For a player expected to anchor the defense during pivotal moments in the season, this news is devastating not only for him but also for coach Carlo Ancelotti and the entire squad, who were counting on him as they approach critical fixtures and international duties. The Brazilian finds himself at a precarious juncture once again, with the abyss feeling deeper than ever before.