9 days after Osasuna, the sad news falls on Éder Militão

Defender Éder Militão will undergo surgery this Tuesday, 19 November. This will be his second operation after the one in August 2023. This injury adds to a long list of absentees for Real Madrid.

Injured in the 27th minute against Osasuna on 9 November, 26-year-old defender Éder Militão will undergo surgery on his right knee this Tuesday, 19 November. The player suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right leg. His unavailability is set at 9 months. The Brazilian international will miss the entire 2024-2025 season.

A blow for Real and the player

When he writhed in pain on the pitch ten days ago, the bad memories of his last major injury to his left knee resurfaced. Indeed, Militão suffered the same injury during a match against Athletic Bilbao just over a year ago (August 2023).

This injury raises questions about the Brazilian defender’s future at the Madrid club and his ability to return to top form. Having returned as a starter since the beginning of the season with 14 appearances in 16 matches across all competitions (1 goal and 1 assist), the former FC Porto player relapsed at the wrong time. He leaves Real Madrid short at the defender position with only Antonio Rudiger available.

Carlo Ancelotti will have to patch things up with Aurélien Tchouaméni and David Alaba, who has just returned from a long injury. The former Bayern Munich player has been out since December 2023, and his return is scheduled for January 2025. He can also count on Castilla with Raul Asencio (21 years old), who replaced the Brazilian defender after his injury.

Towards a January recruitment?

The club is already considering a replacement. While the Sergio Ramos option is ruled out by the Madrid leaders, other younger defenders are being courted to strengthen the squad. Specifically, Castello Lukeba from RB Leipzig, Valentin Gomez from Velez Sarsfield, and Gonçalo Inacio from Sporting.

Other names have circulated, such as Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace and Jean Paul Van Hecke from Brighton. With many upcoming fixtures and a long season ahead for Real Madrid, a strengthened squad would only be beneficial for Carlo Ancelotti.