Real Madrid’s injury crisis just hit a boiling point, and it’s leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Star defender Éder Militão limped off the pitch during Brazil’s international friendly against Tunisia, sparking fears of yet another setback for the club. But here’s where it gets even more concerning: this isn’t an isolated incident. Militão’s potential injury comes hot on the heels of Dean Huijsen’s groin issue, which forced him to withdraw from Spain’s national team camp. And let’s not forget Kylian Mbappé and Eduardo Camavinga, who were also sent home from France’s squad. It’s a perfect storm of bad luck for Madrid, and it couldn’t come at a worse time.
The incident with Militão unfolded in the second half of the match. After receiving a pass from Marquinhos near the halfway line, he attempted to distribute the ball wide but immediately signaled for play to stop, clutching his side in apparent pain. Brazil’s medical team rushed to his aid, and Carlo Ancelotti swiftly replaced him with Fabricio Bruno. According to reports from Fabrizio Romano, Militão is dealing with an adductor injury and will undergo further testing. For a player who’s been injury-free this season, this is a devastating blow—not just for Real Madrid, but for Brazil as well.
And this is the part most people miss: Militão’s injury history is already alarming. He missed the majority of the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons due to ACL tears, and he’s no stranger to muscular injuries. If this latest setback sidelines him for any length of time, it could spell disaster for Madrid’s defense. But here’s the controversial question: Is Real Madrid’s injury crisis a result of bad luck, or is there a deeper issue with player management and workload?
Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is already juggling a depleted squad. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Franco Mastantuono are nursing injuries, while Antonio Rüdiger and Dani Carvajal are out for extended periods—Carvajal, notably, underwent knee surgery in October. If Militão and Huijsen are both ruled out, Alonso might be forced to rely on David Alaba and Raúl Asencio as central defenders. While Alaba is a proven talent, his own injury-plagued history raises concerns. Over the past two seasons, he’s missed over 90 games due to meniscus and ACL tears. As for Asencio, he’s been a squad player under Alonso, starting just three La Liga matches this season—a far cry from his 23 appearances under Ancelotti last year.
This makeshift defense comes at a critical juncture for Madrid. Their La Liga lead has shrunk to just three points, and they’re set to face Elche on November 23. With their star power dwindling, the pressure is mounting. Is this the moment that defines Madrid’s season, or can they weather the storm? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—do you think Alonso can pull off a miracle, or is this injury crisis too much to overcome?
