Eder Militao is helped to leave the pitch after getting injured during the match between Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao on August 12, 2023. (Photo by CESAR MANSO/AFP via Getty Images)
Real Madrid dealt Eder Militao injury blow
Eder Militao lies injured on the pitch during the match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de San Mames on August 12, 2023 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Diego Souto/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s worst fears came true after tests confirmed that Eder Militao suffered an ACL injury during their 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.
“Following tests carried out on our player Eder Militao, he has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee,” read Real Madrid’s statement. “The player will undergo surgery in the coming days.”
Militao went down and was in a lot of pain. The pessimism was almost immediate as the Brazilian defender left the pitch in tears with help from the medical staff. Even more so given Carlo Ancelotti’s words after the game.
“He [Militao] sprained his knee. It doesn’t look good and we will assess it in the next few hours,” Ancelotti said. “Hopefully it’s nothing serious. We’re concerned and we’re not ruling anything out.”
Ancelotti was right that it did not look good and unfortunately for him, and Real Madrid, it was something serious.
Militao becomes the second player in less than a week to suffer an ACL injury. Thibaut Courtois went down during training and it was later confirmed he also suffered an ACL injury. That’s two of their stalwarts in defense now gone.
Madrid do have some cover at center-back with Antonio Rudiger and Nacho Fernandez able to step in and partner David Alaba.
But the loss of Militao is a considerate blow given how he’s improved since joining Madrid and becoming a leader in that backline.
With the transfer window still open, it will be up to Ancelotti to decide whether he will ask for reinforcements for either Militao or Courtois or make do with what he has.
