Real Madrid’s defensive crisis deepened dramatically on Monday night as Éder Militão became the latest casualty during the November international break. The Brazilian defender left Brazil’s friendly against Tunisia with an apparent muscle injury at the Decathlon Arena in Lille, walking off visibly uncomfortable and sparking immediate concern just days before Real Madrid returns to La Liga action. The incident has sent shockwaves through the Santiago Bernabéu, where manager Xabi Alonso is already navigating a severe shortage of defensive options.
The center back is dealing with an adductor injury according to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, and is set to undergo testing within the next 24 hours. The 27-year-old’s potential absence represents another devastating blow for Real Madrid, a club that has endured an unprecedented injury epidemic throughout the 2024-25 season, particularly among its defensive ranks.
Table of Contents
The Match Incident: Warning Signs Ignored
The incident took place during a match used by the Seleção as preparation for the 2026 World Cup, with Militão continuing to rebuild rhythm after his long-term ACL recovery. What makes this injury particularly concerning is the timeline of events that unfolded during the friendly encounter.
Timeline of Éder Militão’s Injury Against Tunisia
| Time | Event | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|
| First Half (Early) | Militão felt discomfort and signaled to bench | Brazilian staff warmed up substitute |
| Half-Time | Defender chose to continue | Started second half |
| 60th Minute | Attempted routine pass, felt pain again | Asked teammate to put ball out of play |
| 60th Minute | Crouched and grabbed leg | Medical team assessed on pitch |
| 60th Minute | Immediate substitution decision | Fabrício Bruno replaced him |
| Post-Match | Walked off limping and frustrated | Scheduled for tests in Madrid |
The center-back had already sent a warning early in the game, feeling discomfort within the opening stretches of the first half and signaling to the bench, prompting the Brazilian staff to warm up a potential substitute. Despite this initial scare, Militão chose to continue playing and even started the second half, giving the false impression that the issue had resolved itself.
But in the 60th minute everything changed when Militão attempted a routine pass and suddenly stopped, feeling pain once again, quickly asking a teammate to put the ball out of play. The expression on his face immediately conveyed the severity of the situation, prompting Brazil’s medical team to make an instant decision that he could not continue.
Real Madrid’s Defensive Nightmare Continues
The timing of Éder Militão’s injury couldn’t be worse for Real Madrid, a club already decimated by defensive absences. A potential spell on the sidelines comes at a terrible time for Madrid manager Xabi Alonso, with Aurélien Tchouaméni and Franco Mastantuono dealing with injuries while Antonio Rüdiger and Dani Carvajal are out for extended periods.
Real Madrid’s Current Defensive Injury Crisis
| Player | Position | Injury | Status | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dani Carvajal | Right-Back | ACL Tear | Out for season | 2026 |
| Antonio Rüdiger | Center-Back | Muscle Injury | Long-term absence | December 2025 |
| David Alaba | Center-Back | ACL/Meniscus | Extended absence | Uncertain |
| Dean Huijsen | Center-Back | Groin Problem | Withdrew from Spain camp | To be determined |
| Éder Militão | Center-Back | Adductor Issue | Undergoing tests | To be determined |
Militão is the second Real Madrid defender to pick up an injury this window after Dean Huijsen withdrew from the Spain national team camp with a groin problem. The accumulation of defensive casualties has left Xabi Alonso with extremely limited options as Real Madrid prepares for a crucial stretch of fixtures in both La Liga and the Champions League.
The Haunting Specter of Previous Injuries
For Éder Militão, any injury carries additional psychological weight given his recent history. The center back missed the majority of the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons with ACL tears, and while the severity of his latest injury remains to be seen, he has missed time through muscular injuries in the past.
The Brazilian suffered his first ACL tear in August 2023 against Athletic Club, sidelining him for nine months. Just when he returned to full fitness and reestablished himself as a cornerstone of Real Madrid’s defense, disaster struck again in November 2024 when he sustained a second ACL rupture along with meniscus damage in his right knee during a match against Osasuna.
Éder Militão’s Injury History at Real Madrid
| Date | Injury Type | Match | Recovery Time | Season Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 2023 | ACL Tear (Left Knee) | vs Athletic Club | 9 months | Entire 2023-24 season |
| November 2024 | ACL Rupture + Meniscus (Right Knee) | vs Osasuna | 8 months | Rest of 2024-25 season |
| July 2025 | Return to Action | vs PSG (Club World Cup) | Full recovery | Returned after 8 months |
| November 2025 | Adductor Issue | Brazil vs Tunisia | Tests pending | Current situation |
The defender’s emotional reaction to previous injuries revealed the mental toll of repeated setbacks. In October 2025, Militão admitted through Fabrizio Romano that after his second knee injury, retirement crossed his mind, stating it wasn’t easy but with support from his wife, daughter, and teammates, he persevered to return to the highest level.
What Adductor Injuries Mean for Recovery
Adductor injuries, while typically less severe than ACL tears, still pose significant challenges for professional footballers. These muscle strains affect the inner thigh muscles responsible for hip stability and leg movement, crucial for defenders who must quickly change direction, make tackles, and sprint to cover attacking runs.
After the match, Brazil’s internationals travel back to their clubs, meaning tests in Madrid will determine the extent of Militão’s issue, with the defender only recently re-establishing himself in the rotation after months of rehabilitation. Any setback, even a minor one, is being taken with maximum caution by Real Madrid’s medical staff given the player’s injury history.
Common Recovery Timelines for Adductor Injuries:
- Grade 1 (Mild strain): 1-2 weeks
- Grade 2 (Moderate strain): 3-6 weeks
- Grade 3 (Severe strain/tear): 8-12 weeks
- Surgical intervention: 3-6 months
The next 24 hours will prove critical in determining which category Militão’s injury falls into and whether Real Madrid will need to explore emergency defensive reinforcements in the January transfer window.
Xabi Alonso’s Limited Defensive Options
If Militão and Huijsen both have to miss time and emergency center back Tchouaméni remains out, Alonso could be forced to deploy the recently returned David Alaba and Raúl Asencio centrally. This scenario represents a nightmare for the Spanish manager, who inherited an injury-ravaged squad and has seen the situation deteriorate further during his tenure.
David Alaba, returning from his own ACL nightmare, has shown visible signs of rust and vulnerability in his limited appearances this season. The Austrian international, once a reliable defensive anchor, is still rebuilding match fitness and confidence after missing nearly 18 months of action.
Raúl Asencio, meanwhile, represents Real Madrid’s homegrown emergency option. The 21-year-old featured prominently last season under Carlo Ancelotti, making 23 La Liga appearances and 10 more in the Champions League during another defensive crisis. However, under Alonso’s management, the Spaniard has been relegated to squad player status with just three league starts.
Impact on Real Madrid’s Title Ambitions
For Alonso, the timing couldn’t be worse, with crucial fixtures approaching in both La Liga and the Champions League as Madrid needs depth and stability in its back line. The club entered the international break holding a precarious three-point lead at the top of La Liga, a margin that could evaporate quickly if defensive vulnerabilities are exploited.
Militão’s blend of pace, timing and recovery ability is irreplaceable in certain defensive schemes, making Real Madrid hope this is nothing more than a precautionary substitution. His athleticism allows Real Madrid to play a higher defensive line and press more aggressively, confident that Militão can recover and neutralize counter-attacking threats.
Without this security blanket, Alonso may be forced to adopt more conservative tactical approaches, potentially sacrificing Real Madrid’s attacking fluidity and pressing intensity to protect a makeshift defensive line.
The Broader Context: Modern Football’s Injury Epidemic
Militão’s injury adds to growing concerns about player welfare in modern football’s congested calendar. The 2024-25 season has seen an unprecedented number of muscle injuries across Europe’s elite leagues, with many experts attributing this to insufficient recovery time between matches and the physical demands of expanded competitions.
Real Madrid’s injury crisis reflects broader systemic issues facing professional football. The expanded Champions League format, coupled with national team commitments and domestic competitions, has created a schedule that leaves little room for physical recovery or injury prevention.
Militão left the field limping, serious and frustrated—the worst possible combination for Real Madrid considering his injury history over the last year. This image encapsulates the frustration felt throughout the club, where careful rehabilitation work and patient recovery timelines are constantly undermined by the relentless fixture calendar.
The next 24 hours will determine whether Real Madrid must navigate yet another extended absence of a key defender or whether Militão can continue his remarkable journey back from multiple career-threatening injuries. For a club chasing domestic and European glory, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
FAQs
What injury did Éder Militão suffer with Brazil?
Éder Militão is dealing with an adductor injury sustained during Brazil’s friendly against Tunisia in Lille. The Real Madrid defender felt discomfort in the 60th minute and was immediately substituted as a precautionary measure.
When will Éder Militão undergo tests for his injury?
According to Fabrizio Romano, Éder Militão will undergo medical tests within the next 24 hours after returning to Real Madrid from international duty with Brazil to determine the severity of the adductor issue.
How long could Éder Militão be out injured?
The recovery timeline depends on test results. Adductor injuries typically range from 1-2 weeks for mild strains to 8-12 weeks for severe tears, though Real Madrid will take extra precautions given Militão’s history of serious knee injuries.
What other defenders are injured at Real Madrid?
Real Madrid is experiencing a defensive crisis with Dani Carvajal (ACL tear, out for season), Antonio Rüdiger (muscle injury), David Alaba (ACL/meniscus issues), and Dean Huijsen (groin problem) all currently unavailable or recently injured.
Has Éder Militão had serious injuries before?
Yes, Militão suffered two ACL tears in consecutive seasons—first in August 2023 against Athletic Club and again in November 2024 versus Osasuna. He returned to action in July 2025 after an eight-month rehabilitation from the second ACL injury.
