Real Madrid defender Eder Militao is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines as he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during their 4-0 win over Osasuna, the La Liga club confirmed on Saturday.
The Spanish champions revealed that tests showed the Brazilian, who will now require surgery, has damaged both meniscuses in his right leg and is expected to be out for the rest of the 2024-25 season.
The 26-year-old landed awkwardly after contesting for an aerial ball with Osasuna defender Flavien Boyomo and was visibly in pain as he was stretchered off and replaced by 21-year-old Spanish defender Raul Asencio in the 30th minute.
A statement from the club read: “Following tests carried out today on Eder Militão by Real Madrid’s medical department, the player has been diagnosed with a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament with damage to both meniscuses in his right leg. Militão will undergo surgery in the coming days.”
Parte médico de Militão. #RealMadrid
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) November 9, 2024
This marks the second time the Brazil international has suffered an ACL rupture, having only returned to action in April after injuring his left knee in their season opener at San Mames against Athletic Club last season.
Los Blancos put an end to their two-game losing run thanks to a hat-trick from Vinicius Junior as well as Jude Bellingham’s first goal of the season to close the gap on leaders Barcelona.
Militao’s injury puts an additional strain on an area in which the 36-time La Liga champions are clearly lacking, as German defender Antonio Rudiger and Spaniard Jesus Vallejo are the only fit senior center-backs currently at their disposal, with David Alaba still on his recovery journey.
He joins Spain international Dani Carvajal on the injury list after the 32-year-old also suffered an ACL injury last month.
