Real Madrid have confirmed that Eder Militão has suffered a complete tear of his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after a distressing injury during their 4-0 victory over Osasuna.
The Brazilian defender was about to challenge for the ball in Osasuna’s penalty area when he collapsed to the ground without contact, having planted his right foot into the turf. Militão immediately clutched his knee in agony, and concerned teammates quickly surrounded him. Medical staff attended to the 26-year-old for several minutes before he was stretchered off, leaving the Santiago Bernabéu crowd in shock.
In an official statement, Madrid confirmed that Militão’s ACL is fully torn, and he has also suffered damage to both of his menisci. While the club has not provided a specific timeline for his recovery, the center-back is expected to undergo surgery soon and is likely to miss the rest of the season.
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This is not the first ACL tear for Militão; he sustained a similar injury in his left knee 15 months ago during a La Liga match against Athletic Club, which sidelined him for a significant portion of the 2023/24 season.
While Madrid triumphed 4-0 thanks to a Vinícius Júnior hat-trick and a goal from Jude Bellingham, the match was marred by injuries to Militão, Rodrygo, and Lucas Vázquez. Rodrygo, who had been restored to the starting lineup in Carlo Ancelotti’s 4-3-3 formation, lasted just 20 minutes before leaving the pitch in tears with a suspected hamstring injury. Despite trying to continue, he was forced off to ice his thigh.
Vázquez, filling in at right-back due to Dani Carvajal’s long-term absence, also appeared to suffer a hamstring issue. He limped through to half-time before being substituted for Luka Modric, with Federico Valverde shifting to right-back for the second half.
Madrid are already without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender David Alaba, who has yet to return after suffering an ACL tear last December.